Postbridge Clapper Bridge — Attraction in West Devon

The medieval clapper bridge in Postbridge is a 13th century construction, built to allow pack horses to cross the East Dart River. Clapper bridges are characterized by large slabs of stone held up by narrow piers. The slabs at Postbridge are 4 metres long and 3 metres wide, each weighing around 8 tons. The three piers support a span of nearly 13 meters. Originally, the horses would have carried Dartmoor tin to Tavistock but later horses carrying mail would have utilised the bridge, hence Postbridge. Another source suggests the slabs are locally known as posts to explain the name. The grade II listed structure is still complete, structurally sound and fully functional though the road now crosses a new bridge a stone's throw away, built in 1870. Postbridge is also famous for being the location of the ghost story of the Hairy Hands. The story goes that an unusually high number of motorists and cyclists have crashed on the B3212 near Postbridge, their vehicle forced of the road by a pair of disembodied hands appearing and grabbing the wheel or handlebars. However, I am pleased to report that we managed to stay on the road...

First time we wanted to see the Clapper bridge we tried to stop and see it but we could not as no spaces in the car park up the road rom it -although some did park on the road .So as no where to park we had to keep going ..The Clapper bridge is hidden from the road ,as it were, and driving over the road bridge you can't see it .You need park in the paying car park up the road ,which is quite large and has toilets and a small exhibition . Luckily though it was busy then as the next time we went past -on a week day - it wasn't . A very impressive Clapper Bridge-quite narrow I thought- over clear...

Don't go here expecting a really intense experience. It is a late medieval bridge in gorgeous countryside. It is an interesting site to visit and walk over, to marvel at the manipulation of huge stone slabs onto dressed stone piers. It is a place to sit in the sun on the banks and watch water gurgle happily by. It is for some a place to fish. It does not offer more than this. Some really nice walks from the bridge locally and a visitor centre nearby that makes little mention of the site focused instead on the moor more generally. If this sounds like fun, then you will really enjoy...