Western White Barrow

Western White Barrow (SX 665652) is a Bronze age cairn. Unlike Eastern White Barrow, it is quite badly damaged although it also has a impressive location overlooking the central wastes of the southern moor. Turf cutters from nearby Red Lake built themselves a shelter amidst the barrow and in so doing damaged the cairn. They knocked the arms off the old Petres Cross and used it as a chimney breast.  The Zeal Tor tramway was built in 1847 to take peat from Redlake down to Shipley Bridge. This venture failed after a short while. In 1877 the naptha buildings at Shipley were reused for processing china clay from Bala Brook head. This venture also failed.

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. 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 the Zeal Tor tramway which takes you up on the westerly side of Brent Moor towards Red Lake. Carry on until you get to the obvious cairn of the Western White barrow  - Petre's Cross (SX 664654). The views from here are superb on a good day - Plymouth, Salcombe, Torbay and most of the Northern moor can be seen. Head in a NW direction for a short distance (overlooking the lonely pyramid of the Red lake spoil tip) and then head eastwards back down the hill along the Abbott's way. This takes you to a ford across the Avon at Huntingdon Cross (SX 664661). Cross this (if possible) and then head along the southern part of Dean Moor keeping the reservoir in view. Head for the weir and then take the metalled road back to Shipley Bridge.

Afer heavy rain the river at Huntingdon Cross may be too high to ford. If this is the case then carry on along Bishop's Meads. After a little bit of difficult ground you'll hit a path which will take you back to the dam.

This walk takes you to the edge of the South Dartmoor wilderness. It is not a difficult but around the Avon stream it gets quite wet. It takes about 3-4 hours. A map and compass are essential. Be careful in adverse weather problems once you're off the tramway.

	By the tramway looking south by the Avon filtration works near Shipley bridge (SX 678630). The clay settling beds of 1880 lie hidden on the left.
	Looking back over South Devon from the Zeal Tor tramway (SX 665647) at Broad Rushes.
	The 3/4 mile partly granite marker stone at Broad Rushes. Means 1.75 miles from Shipley Bridge so somewhere there's a 1 missing.
	The view up the tramway at Broad Rushes
	A divergence in the tramway.
	A SW view over Quickbeam Hill. In the distance lies Plymouth.
	An easterly view from the Western White Barrow (SX 664654). The Eastern White Barrow can be seen on the horizon.
	The Western White Barrow.
	A northerly view towards Red Lake from SX 652657.
	The Red Lake sand pits just south of Crossways. China clay was discharged into these pits and allowed to settle before the slurry was flowed down by pipeline towards Ivybridge. In the far background lies Plymouth.
	Looking north towards the Red Lake spoil tip  at Crossways.
	Westerly view from SX 655657.
	The North westerly view up the Avon Valley from SX 657659.
	Following the Abbott's way down to the Avon stream.
	The Avon stream.
	The ford across the Avon at Huntingdon Cross (SX 665662).
	A parting of the ways at Huntingdon Cross.
	The Avon flowing down towards the Avon Dam. On the right lies Bishop's Meads.
	The Avon Reservoir begins to open up to view (SX 668660).
	The Avon Reservoir carries on opening up to view. Bishop's Meads still on the right.
	Looking southwards over the Avon Reservoir from SX 675657 (Dean Moor).
	Another view over the Avon Reservoir.
	The Avon Dam
	The walk back down from the Avon Dam
	Walk nearly over and it's getting darker.