Exebridge

Exebridge takes it's name from the bridge on the River Exe just south of Dulverton. Inn with fishing facilities available.

Exebridge lies mainly along the south side of the road either side of the river Exe. The eastern half of the village is in Morebath, Devon and the western half is in Brushford, Somerset. The settlement clearly grew up beside the river crossing at the Exe bridge. The bridge is apparently on the site of a medieval bridge and two men of Exebridge were recorded in 1327. By 1694 there were at least 7 or 8 houses on the Somerset side burdened with repair of that side of the bridge. There were two large farms Exeham and Riphay, the latter still with its traditional farmyard. Down the centuries it has depended partly on passing traffic to earn a living at the inn, smith, wheelwrights and post office. Now only the inn survives. Other businesses were the mill, Exe Valley fisheries, sawmills and a nursery.

Misty sunrise over Exebridge - © 2009 Mike Watson www.mike-watson.co.uk

Exebridge

The present bridge probably dates from the 18th century but there has been a bridge at this spot since the early 14th century at least. It was altered in 1853 and 1929. The parapets were extended in the late 20th century. The span consists of three semi-circular headed arches. The counties of Devon and Somerset were regularly in dispute over its repair. The river currents meant that shingle banks were deposited on the Devon side protecting the bridge but increasing the undercutting of the Somerset banks which weakened that end of the bridge. Somerset had to repair its half far more often than Devon. After centuries of coping with poor roads, southern Exmoor shared in the modest improvements brought about by the turnpike trusts in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The coming of motorised transport forced local councils to improve Exmoor's roads in the 20th century. A tollhouse survives at Exebridge on the Devon side of the bridge.

Contributed by: Emma Bishop