Quickbeam Hill (rising to 1,578ft) is not among Dartmoor's highest hills. That being said, the eastern of its pair of Bronze Age cairns - known as Eastern White Barrow or 'Whitaburrow' (SX665651) - is, at almost 12ft high and some 85ft diameter, certainly one of the locale's finest, boasting far-reaching views and an exquisite upland vibe.
Its neighbour, some 3/4 mile to the west (SX653654) - hence the Western Whitaburrow - is far less upstanding nowadays owing to peat cutters (not tin miners as I blurt out on site... that'll be Cornwall...) erecting a drystone shelter here in c1847, but nonetheless a worthwhile visit. It is also surmounted by the remains of a manor boundary cross, erected by Sir William Petre in the C16th.
The Citizen Cairn approached from the large car park at Shipley Bridge to the approx south-east (SX 681629), a formerly pleasing starting point which is sadly now being used as a revenue cash cow for the National Park... much to the apparent chagrin of locals... so biting the hand that feeds. Please ensure you bring cash since, ludicrously, cards were not accepted by the machine (my thanks to the locals who helped me out of my dilemma)
That being said, however, the vibe to be enjoyed at these two great upland cairns is worth this initial negativity one hundred-fold. And then some! The eastern monument is surely one of Dartmoor's finest.
For a quick shufty at Heap of Sinners:
@ • 'Heap of Sinners', Hun...
And some musings that may or may not generate some thoughts of your own:
@ • Makes you think, doesn...
24 июн 2024
