Three Barrows

The cairns of Three Barrows (SX 653627) dominate Ugborough Moor. As you might expect, our ancestors of 4000 years ago chose a good place on which to commerate their dead - and they erected three barrows of presumably their most important people on this well placed peak. Three Barrows can be seen from many places around and below the moor. The views from the hill are impressive in good weather - in misty conditions there's a strong sense of isolation that surrounds this burial place. Three Barrows has also been known as Threberis and Tre Burroughes in the past.

Park at Shipley Bridge (SX 681629) 3 miles north of the town of South Brent. Climb up the NW slopes above the filtration plant and once past then descend the slope down to the Bala Brook. Straight in front is the steep valley of Red Brook. Cross the Bala Brook, cross the Red Brook and ascend alongside what is known as Henchertraw - a beautiful Dartmoor valley. As the slope levels off then the low hill of Wacka Tor lies westward. Head for it up an easy slope. There're some good views from here. Now walk NW to Three Barrows over some easy ground. More views at Three Barrows. Then move northwards to the head of Middle Brook. If the visibility is good you'll be able to see Uncle Ab's House. Be careful of the Red Brook Mire which covers the head of the brook. From Uncle Ab's you can easily descend down the Middle Brook through the tin workings and cross the Bala Brook. From there it's a short walk back to Shipley Bridge.

A straightforward 6 mile walk. A little climb up the Red Brook and an open moor section near Uncle Ab's House. No wet ground. No army areas.

	Some of the remains of the 19th century naptha works at Shipley Bridge (SX 681629) subsequently used as a clay drying shed. Through the gap you can see the outlet channel from one of the clay settling pans above.
	The start of the Zeal Tor tramway.
	A picture taken of the Bala brook valley - SX 673630 - as we're descending towards the brook.
	A view over the lower Red Brook valley also known as Henchertraw. This is the valley that we're going to ascend.
	Crossing the Bala Brook.
	This livestock pound is part of the Bronze age Half Ring hut group at Red Brook Foot. The enclosure has been made by joining 2 huts together by demolishing their shared wall. Probably done quite recently.
	Looking up the Bala Brook valley from Red Brook Foot. This is a rather secluded valley.
	Henchertraw (SX 669627). This is where the Red brook tumbles down over mossy boulders through little pools. This is a lovely place to be. Somewhere near here is the setting for Garth the Tinner - one of Crossing's stories. One day Garth found a baby girl left alone beside the stream. He took her home, called her Melys and raised her together with his son. As they got older the youngsters fell in love and planned to marry. But one day Garth was accosted by a stranger who was the girls's long lost father. He reclaimed his daughter so Garth's son was beside himself and committed suicide in the snow beside the brook. Melys was distraught and returned to her lover the next day. But she was too late...
	Another small waterfall at Henchertraw. Garth's tiny shelter is situated on the left bank at the foot of the falls amidst the remains of a couple of medieval tinners' houses.
	Near the top of Henchertraw.
	The top of Henchertraw.
	The Red brook just before it begins to fall into the Henchertraw gorge.
	The undemonstrative rocks of Wacka Tor (SX 662622) just west of Hickley plain. Wacka Tor covers a large area, but the rocks are hardly imposing.
	An easterly view from Wacka Tor.
	One of the boulders of Wacka Tor.
	A south view from the side of Three Barrows looking towards Wacka Tor.
	The south view from Three Barrows with Ugborough Beacon in the distance. You can see the line of the Great Reave (or Boundary work as the OS map has it) snaking up the hillside. We are standing on part of it.
	Looking towards the middle barrow of Three Barrows from the southern barrow.
	The middle barrow of Three barrows.
	Another view of the middle barrow.
	Uncle Ab's House - SX 656639.
	Here's the paddock in front of the ruins of Uncle Ab's house. This was used to stable horses for the peat workings nearby and then for the Zeal Tor tramway.
	Tinner's rubble at Petre's Pits Bottom. There's been a lot of activity here - first medieval and then about 150 years ago.
	One of the old tin streamworks at Petre's Pits Bottom.
	The old wheelhouse at Middle Brook.
	Remains of the old wheelhouse at Middle Brook.
	Another view of the wheelhouse with Petre's Pits Bottom leading up the valley.
	What may be the winding gear for a now filled in mine shaft. It was powered by the nearby wheelhouse. However, some say that this was used to power china clay workings up the valley via power rods. What is strange is that no one seems to know what this comparatively recent machinery was used for.
	An exposed tree on Middle Brook.
	Looking down the Bala brook valley from Middle Brook.
	Shipley Bridge car park.