Heddon Valley and Tarr Steps

After our quiet day yesterday, TT had another walk up his sleeve for today.  Like Thursday (check) we felt like we were driving to the centre of the earth, surrounded by trees, when we suddenly emerged at a hotel and a National Trust shop and café alongside a car park.  We were in Heddon Valley.  The first part of our walk was an easy wander down to the coast at Heddon Mouth beach.  BB spent ages running back and forward over the stepping stones across the river.  The walk was never going to be just this easy stroll.  We walked back up river and started to ascend  the steep valley side, through the woods and the bracken, until we reached a magnificent viewpoint at Peter’s Rock.  The views across the Bristol Channel and up and down the coast were stunning.  We had our lunch here, but I didn’t want to carry on along the cliff path, with the sheer drops, so I retraced my steps while the boys continued.

I walked back down and then continued to walk in the direction they would come from, and I met them at the hamlet of Trentishoe.  I explored the tiny Trentishoe Church and was amazed to see so many bats roosting on the ceiling.  The boys had enjoyed the cliff walk!

We then drove across Exmoor to Tarr Steps, a 17 span clapper bridge (a bridge made of stone slabs), the longest of its kind in Britain. It was first mentioned in Tudor times but may be much older. TT and I had first encountered Tarr Steps when walking in the area many years ago when we probably saw one or two other walkers.  Today it was packed, but being late in the afternoon people were packing up.   We had a walk by the river and when we got back it was quieter.  BB was keen to get his socks and shoes off and do some paddling.

Here are BB and TT on Tarr Steps.