River Torridge

Bridges over River Torridge at Bideford looking downstream from Upcott Hill

The River Torridge is a river in Devon in England. The River Torridge rises near Meddon. The river describes a long loop through Devon farming country where its tributaries the Lew and Okement join before meeting the Taw at Appledore and flowing into the Bristol Channel. The river is spate dependent and often flows between wooded banks which can be steep. After heavy rain the water can be coloured. It was the home of Tarka the Otter in Henry Williamson's book. The Torridge local government district is named after the river.

The river rises close to the border with Cornwall (north of the source of the River Tamar [1]. It flows generally east, passing between East Putford and West Putford, and near Bradford it is joined by the River Waldon, then heads east past Black Torrington and Sheepwash. It is joined by the River Lew near Hatherleigh, and then by the River Okement near Meeth.

It then flows northwards, picking up the River Mere south of Beaford. After this it makes tight bends, and goes past Little Torrington and Great Torrington heading generally north-west. It is joined by the River Yeo at Pillmouth, and then becomes estuarine by Bideford. Between Appledore and Instow it joins the estuary of the River Taw and enters Bideford Bay.

The Tarka Trail walking and cycle route partly follows the course of the North Devon Railway, which, for a considerable distance, closely followed the line of the river. South of Bideford the railway crossed from one bank to the other, and the Trail provides a good vantage point for viewing the river.

List of bridges

Main article: List of bridges over River Torridge

The following is a list of bridges over the River Torridge listed going upstream from the estuary at Bideford:

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

• Torridge A39 Road Bridge
• Bideford Long Bridge
• Halfpenny Bridge, Annery/ Weare Giffard
• Beam Aqueduct, (Rolle Canal), Beam, Great Torrington
• Rothern Bridge, Great Torrington
• Rolle Bridge, Great Torrington
• Taddiport Bridge, Great Torrington
• New Bridge, Great Torrington