Bideford is situated at the lowest practical crossing of the navigable River Torridge. Tradition says that the earliest crossing was a ford a little upstream from the Long Bridge although few traces have ever been found.
The Long Bridge has spanned the River Torridge for over 700 years and has played a key role in the development and everyday life of Bideford. The bridge, which is believed to have been built in the 1280’s, consists of 24 different width arches and since there are virtually no details known about how and when it was built the reasons for the different widths remains something of a puzzle.
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The bridge has been widened three times and in 1968, due to heavy road traffic, two of the arches collapsed bringing massive upheaval to the town. This resulted in the new bridge, visible downstream, being opened in 1987. With the bridge behind you and the river on your right make your way along the Quay. Long Bridge from East-the-Water 2007 © Dave Green |
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