With all the rain we’ve been having here on beautiful but very soggy Exmoor, we’ve not been surprised to see rivers appearing down our drive and the stream in our garden turn into a waterfall. We have however been very shocked and saddened to hear that Tarr Steps – one of our favourite places to visit here at the Two Moors Festival and one of the most ancient bridges in the UK – has been washed away.
Apparently, the River Barle got so wild on December 22nd that half the bridge – which has been dated back to the Bronze Age – was swept downstream. This isn’t the first time this has happened, however, and luckily Somerset conservation managers were prepared, with all the stones numbered so they can be put back in order once they’re relocated.
Phew! What a relief! We’re so glad to hear that we and countless others will be able to enjoy summer days and long walks around this part of the English countryside, as it really is so very beautiful. Make sure you go once (if) it stops raining!
Related articles
- 3,000-year-old bridge known as the Devil’s sunbathing spot is washed away as 2012 comes to a very wet close (thisismoney.co.uk)
- Ancient bridge succumbs to flood’s force (independent.co.uk)
- You: Wettest year ends with downpours (guardian.co.uk)
- Centuries-old bridge washed away in deluge that never ends (express.co.uk)
- 3,000-year-old bridge known as the Devil’s sunbathing spot is washed away as 2012 comes to a very wet close (dailymail.co.uk)
- A soggy goodbye to 2012: Revellers celebrate a wet New Year (from under their umbrellas) (mirror.co.uk)
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