Penn Beacon and Shell Top

Day off work and time for a walk, decision made on an ascent of Penn Beacon and adding on Shell Top for good measure. A good track from Quick Bridge takes you to open moorland just beyond the Lee Moor clay pits, before heading up steeply. Once on top the views are good especially over South Hams, however the weather meant all views today were in monochrome!!

Start – Quick Bridge
Route – Lee Moor Clay Mine – Penn BeaconShell Top – Lee Moor Clay Mine – Quick Bridge
Distance – 4.5 miles     Start time – 9.15am     Time taken – 3 1/4hrs    Highest Point – Shell Top 475m
Weather – Dull, just very dull

© Crown copyright 2014 Ordnance Survey FL 2014 SF
© Crown copyright 2014 Ordnance Survey FL 2014 SF
Looking back down conifer avenue!
Looking back down conifer avenue! Not long after this walk was done the trees were felled.
And ahead through conifer plantation
And ahead through conifer plantation
Opening out now and a look into one of Lee Moor's clay pits
Opening out now and a look into one of Lee Moor’s clay pits
And again from higher up
And again from higher up
A view eastwards towards Western Beacon
A view eastwards towards Western Beacon
Cairn and shelter on Penn Beacon
Cairn and shelter on Penn Beacon
Penn Beacon trig looking to Shell Top
Penn Beacon trig looking to Shell Top
In reverse, looking back at Penn Beacon
In reverse, looking back at Penn Beacon, South Hams beyond
Murky day!
Murky day!
Shell Top and the Lee Moor clay quarry
Shell Top and the Lee Moor clay quarry
Looking back up at Shell Top left and Penn Beacon right
Looking back up at Shell Top left and Penn Beacon right
Lots of these little fellas on the path back down
Lots of these little fellas on the path back down
Oh well and I'd brought me trunks!
Oh well and I’d brought me trunks! All that was left was to walk back down the track through the conifers to Quick bridge