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Eastern White Barrow

Eastern White Barrow (SX 665652) is a Bronze Age cairn. It is a commanding structure - a streamlined heap of granite with a circular tower of stones. It looks rather like an early submarine, but is a burial structure. The views over Southern Devon and Dartmoor from the barrow are superb on a good day and makes you think that whoever lies buried underneath must have been a very important person to have been buried in such a place. The barrow oozes atmosphere.
To get there is easy. Park at Shipley Bridge (SX 681629) 3 miles north of the town of South Brent. From here there is a road to the Avon Dam which follows the Avon river. The road is very popular with locals. Follow this road for a short distance and at the Hunter's Stone take the road up to the filtration plant. After a short climb, you can then follow the track of an old tramway which takes you up on the westerly side of Brent Moor towards Red Lake. It is about 1.5 miles to the barrow. From the barrow go in an easterly direction towards the Avon Dam. You can either descend to the metalled road and return back to Shipley Bridge or (better route!) you can carry on the high ground and skirt around Zeal Plains, visit the old settlement of Rider's Rings and descend back down onto the road at Black Tor. 
This easy walk takes you to the edge of the South Dartmoor wilderness. It gives a good base with which to start exploring some other very interesting places. It takes about 2 hours. A map and compass should be taken. Be careful in adverse weather problems once you're off the tramway.

 

 
The car park at Shipley Bridge (SX 681629). The structure is the remains of the 19th century naptha works subsequently used as a clay settling plant.
A waterfall by the road leading to the Dam. This part of the Avon valley is very pretty with plenty of rhododendrons. A walk from Shipley Bridge up to the Dam is popular with local people.
The Hunter's Stone in the foreground with the road leading up to the filtration plant in the background. We go up this road to reach the old tramway.
The beginning of the tramway. This was originally used to convey peat from Western White Barrow down to the naptha works at Shipley Bridge.
Looking back over South Devon from the tramway (SX 675631). In the centre distance nestles the town of South Brent while on the left lies Brent Hill.
Going up the tramway.
The tramway leads us onto the moor. On the horizon lies Eastern White Barrow.
Halfway up the tramway. 
The westerly view from the tramway. The peak of Three Barrows is on the horizon.
Looking back over South Devon from the tramway (SX665647) at Broad Rushes. In clear conditions the view is excellent.
The Eastern White Barrow (SX 665652).
The Eastern White Barrow. It's beginning to get misty up here. 
The westerly view from Eastern White Barrow. Mist is approaching from Quickbeam Hill.
A misty southwards view from the barrow.
Looking back at the barrow.
A glimpse of the Avon Dam with Gripper's Hill behind. 
View looking NW back towards Huntingdon Warren from SX 675653. To the left the Red Lake pyramid can be seen. 
The Avon Dam. The picture is facing northwards. You can see the circles of some of the old settlements.
The Avon Dam. Gripper's Hill is in the background. The level is high with all the rain that we've had (January 2001).
View down the Avon Valley from above Zeal Gulley (SX 678648).
Another view of the Avon Dam near Ryder's Rocks.
One of the dwellings at Ryder's Rings (SX 679644). This is an extensive Bronze Age settlement.
Looking NE up the Avon Valley from SX 678637) near Black Tor.
 

 


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