Tarr Steps, Exmoor

[puddleshark]

Tarr Steps, a clapper bridge, thought to be medieval in origin.

A clapper bridge is an ancient form of bridge found on the moors of the English West Country... and in other upland areas of the United Kingdom. It is formed by large flat slabs of stone, often granite or schist. These can be supported on stone piers across rivers, or rest on the banks of streams.

Although often credited with prehistoric origin, most were erected in medieval times, and some in later centuries. They are often situated close to a ford where carts could cross. According to the Dartmoor National Park, the word 'clapper' derives ultimately from an Anglo-Saxon word, cleaca, meaning 'bridging the stepping stones'; the Oxford English Dictionary gives the intermediate Medieval Latin form clapus, claperius, "of Gaulish origin", with an initial meaning of "a pile of stones".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clapper_bridge

I have been offline for a few days, away on Exmoor, on a three-pronged mission:

- walk through the woods and by the water
- photograph ancient bridges
- drink as much tea as humanly possible within a two-day period

There wasn't much light for photography, the weather very grey, but, other than that, I think it was a reasonably successful mission, particularly in the matter of tea rooms.

***

Back to Tarr Steps. I wasn't sure I would ever find my way there, since I have no satnav, and they are in the middle of nowhere, along a lot of very narrow twisty lanes. But after I found my way to ended up accidentally in Winsford, they were signposted.


Footpath down the valley to Tarr Steps.











Crossed by Tarr Steps, and took the path through the beech woods, along the River Barle, catching glimpses of Dippers and elegant Yellow Wagtails by the water.






Here and there the beech leaves just starting to turn.




















Normally there is a circular walk you can follow from Tarr Steps, up one side of the river, and back along the other side. But this footbridge has been condemned as structurally unsound, and is closed. I retraced my steps.




In this last photo, high in the branches, there is bright object that might be the sun. If so, it was the only glimpse of the sun I had during my stay.

Comments

[heleninwales]

What beautiful woods! Such a shame about the condemned footbridge being closed so you couldn't do the circular walk, but the autumn colour is developing nicely.

[puddleshark]

I didn't mind having to turn back. The woods were so beautiful, I was quite happy to walk through them twice. I love walking through beech woods at this time of year.

[heleninwales]

You have a point. The view is different walking back the other way, so retracing one's steps often means you notice different things. That's why we do our circular walks in both directions, depending on our mood.

[bunn]

I'm enjoying the fact that the modern footbridge was closed, while Tarr Steps was open!

Also enjoying that you found it so quiet and deserted. I've only been there a couple times but I seem to remember every time I have it's been busy with picnickers.

[puddleshark]

Heh! I had overlooked the irony of that.

I was a bit disappointed that the weather was so dreary on my visit to Exmoor - I was hoping for glorious October light. But at least it meant I had Tarr Steps to myself.

[changeling72]

Stunning. Definitely on my To-Visit list. We really need to get a couple of hounds to rampage through the undergrowth.

[puddleshark]

Tarr Steps is such a magical place. Definitely worth the long drive into the middle of Exmoor to see it.

Yes, those walks through the woods by the river would be dog heaven!

[summersgate]

What a lot of beautiful photos! That bridge is so cool.

[puddleshark]

Thank you!

Exmoor has a lot of ancient bridges, but I think Tarr Steps must be the most mysterious. It really is magical.

[kaishin108]

Those Tarr Steps, how special and yes they seem Magical! Thanks for sharing about them and the lovely photos.

[puddleshark]

Thank you!

It was a lovely way to cross the river. A little precarious, but not as precarious as stepping stones.