Paths run along the valley between Simonsbath and Dulverton and to the village of Withypool. For a short circular walk, you can walk along the riverbank for about a mile to a footbridge. Here you can cross the river and return on the other side, finally making the most of the clapper bridge for your final crossing.
Starting at the pub, walk down to Tarr Steps and turn right. This takes you onto a path running north along the river. Follow this for two miles, winding along by the river banks through a woodland teeming with life. Once you reach an area of open grassland, head right diagonally across the field, then uphill. Turn left through a gate halfway up the hill to a path through woodland. Continue following this path through several more gates to the road, turn left here to walk into Withypool.
Carry on uphill towards Hawkridge, the climb offering you great views over the Exmoor countryside. You will cross a second cattle grid ignore left signs to Tarr Steps here then carry on downhill. Pass Westwater Farm before turning onto a path signed to Tarr Steps. Follow signs over fields and stiles to Parsonage Farm, then turn a sharp left and on through a gate. A little way further down the hill, turn right then turn left out onto the lane.
Follow this to Tarr Steps, where you can finally cross this incredible bridge before you make it to the pub for a well-deserved pint! Here are a few examples of cottages available for self-catering accommodation within a few miles of the Tarr Steps. When they saw it disappear right before them, they called for the parson.
He was sent over the bridge to remonstrate with the devil. The two met in the middle, but despite being threatened by the devil the parson stood his ground. Eventually the devil gave in and agreed to allowing people to use his bridge on condition they would stayed away if he chose to sunbathe. In fact there are about 40 such clapper bridges around Britain, many of which have their own folktales.
At 54 metres in length, the Exmoor Clapper Bridge is by far the longest of those still standing. Besides the Medieval clapper bridge and surrounding Tarr Woodland with its abundant plant and small animal life, the circular walk also takes in the heathland of Winsford Hill with its wild ponies.
Of particular note are the woods around the Tarr Steps in spring, when they are covered in bluebells. The park authorities have produced a leaflet that includes detailed directions as well as a map; download it here and follow the orange way marks. When not hunting down archaeological monuments at home and abroad and writing about these for the website, Ethan researches religion in early Medieval England and contemporary uses of heritage Academia Profile.
Browse Ethan's Articles on Archaeology Travel. Went there over forty years ago on a school trip, was told it was built buy the devil out of burnt biscuits he threw out on the river. Your email address will not be published. Crossing the Barle River, the longest surviving Medieval clapper bridge. The coin tree.
The Tarr Steps in Folklore As is so often the case, local folklore offers a different account for the clapper bridge. Where are the Tarr Steps and the Coin Tree? Next The Keston Roman Tombs. There is no definite date of origin to the Tarr Steps, with various theories to support different ages.
Some date it back as far as BC in the Bronze Age. The official listing is to the medieval period. One rationale for the suggestion of a prehistoric date includes evidence that a number of prehistoric tracks passed through here, although the presence of a bridge as a result of this remains debatable. Tarr steps is a popular destination for walking in the area for those exploring Exmoor National Park.
The beautiful wooded valley of the River Barle is also worth exploring for its wildlife, as is the heathland of Winsford Hill and its wild ponies in the surrounding countryside.
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