Tarr Steps

Scheduled as an Ancient Monument, Tarr Steps cross the River Barle in a beautiful wooded valley. The steps are a 17-span clapper bridge (the term coming from the Latin claperius, meaning ‘pile of stones’) that is constructed entirely from large stone slabs and boulders. 1.jpg

 

Although first mentioned in Tudor times, it is probably much older. The river has silted up over the last century and in times of flood the water can completely cover the stones.

 The bridge has had to be repaired several times as stones as heavy as two tonnes have been washed up, up to 50 metres downstream. A nearby lodge offers both accommodation and meals.

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