Tarr Steps

Tarr Steps
Low bridge of stone slabs supported by seven groups of vertical stones, across water with trees in the background.
Tarr Steps viewed from upstream
Coordinates51°04′37″N 3°37′05″W / 51.077°N 3.618°W / 51.077; -3.618
CrossesRiver Barle
LocaleExmoor National Park, Somerset, England
Characteristics
DesignClapper bridge
MaterialStone slabs
Total length55 metres (180 ft)
No. of spans17
Location
Map

Tarr Steps is a clapper bridge across the River Barle in the Exmoor National Park, Somerset, England.[1] The bridge is in a national nature reserve about 2.5 miles (4 km) south east of Withypool and 4 miles (6 km) north west of Dulverton.

A typical clapper bridge construction, the bridge's listing assesses it as medieval in origin. The stone slabs weigh up to two tons each. The bridge is 180 feet (55 m) long and has 17 spans.[2] It has been designated as a Grade I listed building and scheduled monument.[1][3]

  1. ^ a b "Tarr Steps". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 9 May 2007.
  2. ^ Leete-Hodge, Lornie (1985). Curiosities of Somerset. Bodmin: Bossiney Books. pp. 63–64. ISBN 0-906456-98-3.
  3. ^ "Tarr steps". Listed Buildings Online. English Heritage. Retrieved 2 January 2011.