Tarr Steps

Tarr Steps Woodland National Nature Reserve woods are owned by Exmoor National Park Authority. The reserve covers 33 hectares comprising fast flowing, clear waters in a wooded valley of the River Barle. The ancient clapper bridge on Exmoor known as Tarr Steps has been a favourite with visitors for many years. Tarr Steps is a mediaeval stone clapper bridge across the river Barle. Popular beauty spot with a pub and cream tea shop where you can sit outside in the summer. Legend has it that the devil built the bridge and owns the sunbathing rights on the stones, so beware!

There is an on-going quarrel over how old the bridge is. Some claim that it dates back to the Bronze Age, others only to the early Middle Ages. If SH Burton is correct in thinking that “Tarr” derives from the Celtic “Tochar”, meaning a causeway, it is of considerable antiquity.

Tarr Steps Exmoor - Photo supplied by Dave Sorrell

Tarr Steps is a medieval clapper bridge and  is the most famous bridge on the Barle and one of the most well known in the West Country. It is a scheduled Ancient Monument. It has been a tourist attraction for at least two hundred years and has been drawn and photographed more than any other feature on Exmoor. It has also been rebuilt many times after flood damage to which it is very vulnerable, most recently in 1942, 1952 and 1979, 2008. It is built out of local grit sandstone slabs weighing up to 2 tons each. There are 17 span slabs. It is about 60 yards (55 m. long) and is normally only about 3 feet above the level of the river. There is a ford alongside it but it is probably best avoided except with 4 wheel drive vehicles.

The woods are internationally significant for the mosses, liverworts and lichens found there. In spring there is a spectacular display of bluebells. Dormice live amongst the mature hazel, blackberry and honeysuckle and otter feed along the unpolluted river. The rare and elusive barbastrelle bat is one of the many varieties of bat living in the woods.

Tarr Steps

Tarr Steps Clapper Bridge Exmoor

To enjoy a circular walk, park in the main car park for Tarr Steps, walk downhill to the river, turn right and walk along the riverbank for about 1.3km, over the bridge and return on the other side, crossing the river on the clapper bridge. The walk along the river is level but there are stepping stones across a small stream in one part and walkers will need to return via the clapper bridge.

Landrover crossing at Tarr Steps - image supplied by kind permission of Somerset Tourism, Somerset County Council

Tarr Steps, a designated National Nature Reserve, is best known for its scheduled monument, the clapper bridge. This is probably of medieval origin and is constructed from large stone slabs and boulders. Much of the woodland here was once coppiced, primarily to provide charcoal for the local iron smelting industry. This is mainly oak woodland, with beech, ash, sycamore and hazel. Visit in spring for a fine display of bluebells, and keep an eye open for otters in the River Barle.

Bye Common is a lovely location and a little unusual in that it is dedicated memorial woodland, in conjunction with a local hospice.

Tarr Steps

Tarr Steps

Tarr Steps Prehistoric Bridge

Prehistoric bridge over the River Barle near Winsford. Dating from 1000 BC
some of the stones weigh 5 tons and were said to have been placed there by the Devil to win a bet

Tarr Steps - a clapper bridge over the River Barle

Tarr Steps has an ancient clapper bridge, a clapper bridge is an ancient form of bridge found on the moors of Devon and Somerset constructed from large unmortared slabs of stone. The famous Tarr Steps ancient clapper bridge over the River Barle . This wooded valley is full of wild red deerand an abundance of other wild life. There is a lovely walk beside the river to the village of Withypool

Tarr Steps (Grid Ref: SS867321)

Tarr Steps in the Snow - Photo supplied by Rupert Clegg www.exmoorphotogallery.com

This is one of the best known monuments on Exmoor. Several theories claim these to be from the Bronze Age, although others date them from around 1400 AD Across the River Barle this is probably the oldest mediaeval clapper bridge in England. Myth has it that the Devil built the Bridge at Tarr Steps and still has sunbathing rights on its stones. The myth continues that the devil swore he was kill anyone who tried to cross his bridge. The terrified locals got the parson to face him. A cat was sent over the Bridge but was vaporised in a puff of smoke. The parson then set off and met the Devil midway. The Devil swore and intimidated but the parson gave as good as he got and finally the Devil agreed to let people pass except when he wants to sunbathe.

Tarr Steps Prehistoric Bridge

This ancient 'clapper' bridge across the River Barle is a popular tourist attraction. The bridge is of primitive construction, with large unmortared slabs of stone resting on one another, and is the largest example of its type Its age and history are unknown, except for the fact that it has been restored several times in recent years, following flood damage. The river and the valley woodlands are Sites of Special Scientific Interest and abound with wildlife. Pleasant footpaths run along the valley between Simonsbath and Dulverton.

Tarr Steps
Photo supplied by Dave Sorrell

Car park and toilets are on a narrow road 400yd/m from the bridge. Parking for the disabled and refreshments are available nearer the bridge. The Tarr Steps ancient 'clapper' bridge across the River Barle is a popular tourist attraction. The bridge is of primitive construction, with large unmortared slabs of stone resting on one another, and is the largest example of its type Its age and history are unknown, except for the fact that it has been restored several times in recent years, following flood damage. The river and the valley woodlands are Sites of Special Scientific Interest and abound with wildlife. Pleasant footpaths run along the valley between Simonsbath and Dulverton. Car park and toilets are on a narrow road 400yd/m from the bridge. Parking for the disabled and refreshments are available nearer the bridge.

there are 33 hectares on Exmoor National Park owned woodland at Tarr steps that is a National Nature Reserve and is internationally significant for its mosses, liverworts and lichens.

Tarr Steps Lichens on the trees

Tarr Steps is a clapper bridge. There are 17 spans across 60 yards, the top slabs weigh 1-2 tons and are about 39 inches above normal water level. The largest slab is over eight feet long and is about five feet wide. This bridge is the largest and finest of its type. Age unknown. It can be reached from the B3223 road between Withypool and Dulverton. There is a large car park a short walk from the bridge and also some parking space for the disabled by the bridge. The name "clapper bridge" comes from the latin "claperius" which means "pile of stones".

Tarr Steps Farm

This is probably the oldest mediaeval clapper bridge in England. It crosses the River Barle.

Legend has it that it was built by the Devil and that he still owns the sun-bathing rights on the stones. Long ago the devil swore he was kill anyone who tried to cross his bridge. He was true to his word until the locals encouraged thet the parson to challenge the Devil. The parson first sent a cat over but it disappeared in a puff of smoke, he then tried the bridge himself and met the devil who swore furiously at him. The parson had done some research and gave as good as he got. Seeing that he had met his match the devil now lallows people pass when its either too cold or too hot to sun-bathe comfortably.

Tarr Steps Farm

A house called Torr Steps, now Tarr Steps Farm,  was mentioned in 1644 and Tarr or Tarr Steps farm was recorded in the 18th century. It was a small farm of 40 acres by 1839 and remained at that size until 1914.  

In 1841 the farm at Tarr was kept by John Baker who lived alone with one female servant. In a cottage lived Grace Burnell aged 88 with six family members and a young girl, Two of the men were labourers and no doubt worked on the farm. John Baker was succeeded by Henry, probably his nephew in the 1860s but there were Bakers at the farm and Burnells in the cottage until the 1880s.

Richard Jefferies, who wrote Red Deer, (1884) visited Exmoor in 1883 and with his friend, the painter John William North, visited Tarr Steps, eating clotted cream and whortleberry jam at a nearby cottage, possibly the farmhouse. He noted on his return through Dulverton the labourers going home with tree branches for the family hearth across their shoulders. By 1891 Henry’s eldest son Thomas was married and occupying the cottage. No cottage was recorded in 1901 when Henry Baker still occupied the farm with his children and grandchildren. Possibly the cottage adjoined the farm and has been incorporated into the farmhouse.

The arrival of the motor car meant day trippers especially to places like Tarr Steps. Tarr Steps farm covered 100 a. when sold in 1926. It was acquired by the Revd Sweetapple Horlock who established a hostel for urban boys to learn farm work, Being ideally situated beside what was already a tourist attraction the house had a tearoom by 1931 when  planned improvements including a better kitchen and toilets.  The arrival of the motor car meant large numbers of day trippers flocked to Tarr Steps and the farmhouse became a flourishing tea shop. It is now a public house and also offers accommodation.

Tarr Steps in Flood

Amazing Pub Next to the Tarr Steps!
Photo supplied by Dave Sorrell

From The Middle of The Tarr Steps
Photo supplied by Dave Sorrell

Tarr Steps - Photo supplied by Dave Sorrell

Tarr Steps Walk - Photo supplied by Dave Sorrell

Tarr Steps Walk - Photo supplied by Dave Sorrell

Bridge over River Barle near Tarr Steps - Photo supplied by Dave Sorrell

Tarr Steps approx 1934 - photo presented with the kind permisssion of www.grumpystumpy.com

Tarr Steps approx 1934 - photo presented with the kind permisssion of www.grumpystumpy.com

Tarr Steps is an ancient clapper bridge spanning 50m across the River Barle. The bridge is probably medieval (500 to 950 years ago), although some have suggested that it may have been built earlier. The River Barle and the woodlands and grassland within the valley are protected as Sites of Special Scientific Interest because of the many rare plants and animals that live here. These include otter, dormouse, kingfisher, and dipper as well as a wide variety of mosses and lichens that thrive in the humid, cool conditions.

The woodland trees are mainly sessile oak with some ash, hazel and beech and in the past some were managed by coppicing. This is a way of cutting trees every twenty or thirty years to let them re-grow and produce firewood, charcoal, tanbark and building materials. Today the woodlands are managed for their wildlife and to help visitors enjoy their natural beauty. The Exmoor National Park Authority purchased-the woodlands to the north of Tarr Steps in 2001 with the generous support of the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Tarr Steps - photo supplied by Dave Sorrell

Tarr Steps - photo supplied by Dave Sorrell

Tarr Steps - photo supplied by Dave Sorrell

Tarr steps will be found on foot through the valleys, on the roads from native town Dulverton and villages like Withypool. For those on bicycle the route from Minehead to Exford will take you there and along the river Barle.

Take a walk by the River Barle from Tarr Steps ST 868 322 to Withypool ST 845 354. Tarr Steps the ancient clapper bridge across the River Barle in the Exmoor National Park is at the beginning of the Two Moors Way Nature Trail which winds its way alongside the River Barle up to Withypool. At Withypool you can vist the local inn or cafe for refreshments before making your way back down the riverside to Tarr Steps.

An ancient monument in the heart of Exmoor that one should see is the prehistoric Tarr Steps. Thought to possess been designed by the Devil himself, these multiple tonne stones are here since around a thousand years BC. The setting is in an exceedingly National nature park of ancient woodlands, superb creatures and a feel of nice mystery. The steps are Britains oldest clapper bridge and are a grade 1 listed heritage site. Tarr steps are a bridge over the river Barle a quick flowing body of water travelling through the moors.

This is often a tremendous site for nature enthusiasts, Exmoors famous collection of birds of prey frequent the sky as well as Hawks, Kestrels, Buzzards and Falcons. The river is just as busy with resident Otters, Salmon, Rainbow and Brown Trout. An area of special scientific interest has been offer to Tarr steps. With its native Red Deer populations and moon light roaming Badger sets and Foxes you'll surely see something fly or run past your sight if you have got the patience to observe the environment unfold.

The ancient woodlands surrounding are certain to leave you breathless. Huge Oaks, Ash, Beech and Hazel grace the landscape with their wise and majestic previous branches creating a beautiful canopy over the bridge and river in the spring and summer. For fans of stunning trees it very may be a place to go to in all seasons to work out the progressive modification from springs 1st shoots to summers massive leaves, autumns pleasant rustic colours and winters eerie vacant branches. Fantastic wild flowers grow among the woodland very offer us an indication of the age of this ancient wood. Stunning Bluebells carpet the spring floor the shade of the trees with hedges of summer fruits surrounding.

The local legend of the Tarr Steps is that the Devil himself built them in the result of a bet. The Devil is claimed to possess claimed sun bathing rights on the bridge and forbade any mortal soul to cross with the punishment of death. Locals tested the water and sent an unlucky cat across that apparently perished when he reached the middle. The local parson challenged the Devil on the bridge and persuaded him to permit the locals to cross unharmed. The Devil was said to have given in but forbids crossing when he needs to bathe in summers sun on the steps.

Such an old structure simply like several different wants work on occasions when it gets hit by the weather in multiple fashions. The fast running Barle is vulnerable to flooding and with such quick currents will have detrimental effects to the bridge. The water additionally has the capacity to hold giant natural objects from the encompassing woods. These together create it necessary to watch the steps for structural damage as it is a daily tourist attraction and a great remnant of the areas past.

Cafe at Tarr Steps

Tar Steps Bridge

The iconic Tarr Steps - for a long time considered to be prehistoric has recently been found to lie near a pair of ornamental cascades. Whatever the original date of the bridge, did it form part of a picturesque landscape in the early 19th century?

 

 

See also:

• Monuments Overview
• Prehistoric Barrows
• castles
• Medieval Villages
• Clapper Bridges
• Standing Stone

OS Grid Reference: SS8632

Contributed by: Mike Townsend, Sue Evans