River
Torridge River
Torridge
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The River Torridge rises in the north west corner of Devon and flows in a large loop before joining the River Taw at Appledore, then flowing into the Bristol Channel. It is mostly a grade 2 river with few hazards other than some of the weirs, but at high water the speed of flow can provide exciting and demanding conditions. The river is important for game fishing so the importance of adhering to the Access Agreement cannot be over stated. Please only use the access and egress points described below except in dire emergency.
The river is canoeable from Sheepwash Bridge (486058) at high water levels only. A more commonly used start point is Hele Bridge (540063) where access is gained on the left bank through a gate on the upstream side; cars can be left in the lay-by 100 metres towards Meeth. Between here and New Bridge is about 4.5 miles of tame paddling, access at New Bridge is on the left bank downstream. A further 4 miles of gentle paddling brings you to Beaford Bridge (access: left bank upstream) and 7.5 miles later you will encounter Lady Palmer weir. This is usually best shot on the right, which is also the side to portage, but please do not land on the right bank below the weir which is a conservation area and should not be disturbed. There is no access here.
A further 2 miles downstream is Town Mills Bridge (500184) and Taddiport Bridge (488188) follows shortly after that. Access to both is on the right bank, downstream. Taddiport Weir is only a quarter of a mile further on; this is best shot down either of the two fish runs left and right or, if levels are high, down the face in the centre. This weir can be portaged on the left. Rothern Bridge (480198) is 1 mile from here; access and parking are on the left bank and a pub (the Puffing Billy) is over a small bridge on the right bank. If you started at Hele Bridge you have now travelled 18.5 miles so why not stop for a rest? Within half a mile of Rothern Bridge is the notorious Beam Weir which really must be inspected before shooting. It lies below the second of the two railway bridges so you must get out on the left before the bridge, it sounds easy but is actually very difficult! In low water it may be possible to get out on the lip of the weir on the extreme right but this is not advised for beginners or at high flows as a sideways shoot may follow - very nasty. Portage on the left, but watch out for barbed wire in the eddy. At present shooting is not recommended due to some very crude anti-scour work (i.e. great big rocks embedded below the weir face) and due to the difficulty of rescuing those caught in the fish steps. Avoid the wired-off section which is a fish counter also rumoured to catch unwary otters. Beam aqueduct (disused) one mile on, is the next access point (left bank, upstream) where parking is available in the quarry, but beware abseilers and loose rocks.
Weare Giffard Water Treatment Works (access right bank, but difficult parking) is 1.5 miles downstream and is shortly followed by the tidal limit of the river. 3 ½ miles further is "Little America" where a large lay-by on the left bank on a bend makes a good start point for trips on the head of the estuary, and Bideford Bridge within a mile, channels the tide at certain levels allowing good slalom practice. At low tides most water is found on the Bideford side i.e. the left bank. Shortly after this is the Bank End slipway and car park which provides a convenient egress point from some 27.5 miles from Hele Bridge. If you go further beware of the water ski area at "Cleave Wrecks" under the left bank cliffs, where both ski boats and oarsmen habitually travel at great speed while looking backwards. Further on the hazards get bigger; catamarans, yachts, dingies and windsurfers will be found around Appledore, as well as a ferry and numerous moored boats. Parking is very difficult here in Summer due to tourists. Beyond this point the river has the characteristics of an open sea, with strong tidal currents and a long swim to the next land, Lundy Island. You should not attempt to paddle here unless you are experienced at reading tidal data and dealing with strong currents.
