Continuing our trip up the River Torridge, we start at Bideford Quay this time.

The quay has developed over many years and used to be much closer to the buildings which line the road. Within recent memory, it was not unusual to see shops and pubs flooded on high tides. However, there is now a flood defence wall and ramps to other parts of the quay. We are lucky that our waterfront is so open and accessible as a valuable public space; other ports have restricted access or allowed private development.

Opposite is Brunswick Wharf, once a busy area for builders’ merchants and importing coal – it is now a development site. The book, ‘A History of East the Water, Bideford’, by the Way of the Wharves charity, describes in detail the history of the site. Recent archaeology uncovered the remains of old seawalls and the edge of a shipbuilding dock showing how the site developed in the Victorian period. 

The old bridge, known as the Long Bridge, is one of the longest medieval bridges in England. An excellent large-scale model can be seen in The Burton gallery. From the river, the varying width of the arches is clear, and care needs to be taken when passing through. Remarkably, in 1917 a steam engine locomotive, destined for the war effort, passed over the bridge on temporary tracks.

Beyond the bridge on the right is what was Longbridge wharf. Trade continued beyond the Long Bridge and small craft were built at Blackmores shipbuilding yard. The hulls were floated under the bridge for completion on the seaward side.

On the left on the river upstream of the bridge is an area known as Kynochs. This is where wood was fermented to create acetone, an essential ingredient in munitions during the First World War.  A launch spot for water sports known as Little America is on the right. The name is believed to come from American activity here during the last war.

About a mile upstream is Annery kiln. This very ornate castellated kiln supplied lime to the Annery estate and is still in good condition, though it regularly floods.

Beyond the kiln, the river Yeo joins the Torridge. Buildings abutting the banks and signs of mooring points bear witness to historic marine activity here too. South of the Yeo is Landcross, the smallest parish in Devon. The iron bridge here, built by the L&SW railway still exists in good condition.