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Ancient Tarr Steps

Recommended by

Our view

"Visit one of the oldest bridges in the world, set in a quiet valley clothed in ancient woodland."

Walk directions

Go through the gate at the bottom left of the car park and follow the path that runs down beside a hedge and parallel with the road. This emerges just above the pub; turn left and walk down the road to the Tarr Steps over the River Barle.

Cross the Steps, turning upstream at the far side (signed 'Permitted FP circular walk’). Follow a wide river bank path past what looks like a wire footbridge but is, in fact, a device for intercepting floating trees in times of flood. After 0.75 miles (1.2km) cross a side-stream on a stone bridge (mini Tarr Steps), and immediately afterwards a long footbridge over the River Barle.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Riverside paths and field tracks, some open moor

Landscape - Wooded river valley and pasture slopes above

Dog friendliness - Dogs can run off-lead along River Barle

Parking - Just over 0.25 miles (400m) east of Tarr Steps – can be full in summer. (Parking at Tarr Steps for disabled people.)

Toilets en route - At car park

Walks in Somerset Dog-friendly walks in Somerset

About the walk

This is the longest and best clapper stone bridge in Britain; as such it featured on a postage stamp in 1968. (The others in the set were the stone military bridge at Aberfeldy; Telford's Menai Bridge; and a concrete viaduct on the M4.) Bronze Age trackways converge on to this river crossing,... suggesting that the bridge itself may be about 4,000 years old. Given that it gets swept away and rebuilt after every major flood, this date for its construction is pure guesswork – or, to use the archaeological term, 'conjectural'. It is still arguably Europe's oldest bridge. 'Cleaca' Bridge The name 'clapper' probably comes from the Saxon 'cleaca', meaning stepping stones. The first clapper bridges arose as stone slabs laid across the top of existing stepping stones. With a serviceable ford alongside, this one is clearly a luxury rather than a necessity. It is only because the local sedimentary rocks form such suitable slabs that it was built at all. At 59yds (54m), Tarr Steps is by far the longest of the 40 or so clapper bridges left in Britain. Right of way As the bridge is a public highway you could, in theory, be entitled to ride your bicycle across it. Quite clearly, the damage you might do to yourself by falling off the bridge could be very serious. That said, the feat is not as hard as it looks – the secret seems to lie in avoiding catching the front wheel in the slots where the bridge top consists of two separate, parallel stones. The ford alongside is popular with horse-riders and canoeists, though The Highway Code does not seem to specify who gives way when the one meets the other. It's always very pleasing to see these three non-motorised forms of transport in action together, while motorists are unable to make it down the congested narrow road. The woods Local legend gives the bridge a devilish origin. Apparently Satan himself built it for sunbathing on. The shady groves of ancient woodland, that drove him into the middle of the river, form probably the best birding terrain in the country – you need only to sit or stand quietly in the shadow of a tree trunk and wait for the birds to parade before you. It's also good for the birds, offering them safety from hawks and buzzards, plenty of nest sites, insects to eat and open flight paths between the branches.

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About the area

Somerset remains rural and unspoiled, and ever popular areas to visit are the limestone and red sandstone Mendip Hills rising to over 1,000 feet, and by complete contrast, to the south and southwest, the flat landscape of the Somerset Levels. Another popular spot, the Quantocks, once the haunt of poets Coleridge and Wordsworth, are noted for their gentle slopes, heather-covered moorland expanses and red deer.

Route details

Difficulty:

Medium

Gradient:

Moderate

Distance:

5.25 miles (8.4kms)

Ascent:

700ft (213m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

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Ancient Tarr Steps

Recommended by

Our view

"Visit one of the oldest bridges in the world, set in a quiet valley clothed in ancient woodland."

Walk details

Difficulty:

Medium

Gradient:

Moderate

Distance:

5.25 miles (8.4kms)

Ascent:

700ft (213m)

Walk directions

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Cross, and continue upstream, with the river now on the left. After 0.75 miles (1.2km) the path crosses a small wooden footbridge, and then divides at a signpost.

3 of 6

Turn right, uphill, signed 'Winsford Hill'. A wide path goes up through the woods with a stream on its right. Where it meets a track turn briefly right to ford the stream, then continue uphill on a narrower signed path. At a low bank with beech trees turn right to a gate and follow the foot of a field to a long and steep tarred lane. Go up this to a cattle grid on to open moor. Here, bear right on a faint track that heads up between gorse bushes. After 250yds (229m) it reaches a 4-way signpost.

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Turn right ('Knaplock') and slant down to a hedge corner. The route follows the foot of the open moor, but is about to divert up left to avoid some bog. After 170yds (155m) a sign points back down to the moor-foot banking. A beech bank crosses ahead: aim for a gate at the lower end of this, where a soft track leads forward, with occasional blue paint-spots. After 0.25 miles (400m) the track turns downhill, then back to the left. It becomes firmer and drier as it reaches Knaplock Farm.

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Among the farm buildings turn downhill signed 'Tarr Steps', to exit on a muddy farm track. This develops into Watery Lane, a steep and narrow track, strewn with boulders on bedrock. After its initial descent it becomes a smooth path down to the River Barle. Turn left, downstream. When the path rises a little above the river, look out for a fork on the right, signed 'Footpath'. This rejoins the river to pass through an open field that's just right for a more comfortable sunbathe than the busy Tarr Steps. Cross the road and a small footbridge, then turn left up the path to your car.

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Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Riverside paths and field tracks, some open moor

Landscape - Wooded river valley and pasture slopes above

Dog friendliness - Dogs can run off-lead along River Barle

Parking - Just over 0.25 miles (400m) east of Tarr Steps – can be full in summer. (Parking at Tarr Steps for disabled people.)

Toilets en route - At car park

Walks in Somerset Dog-friendly walks in Somerset

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

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Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

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Get an AA guide

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Been on this walk?

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Walking in Safety

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Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

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About the area

Somerset

Ancient Tarr Steps

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Ancient Tarr Steps

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