Robber's Bridge, or Robbers Bridge, is an old masonry arch bridge in the royal forest of Exmoor near Doone Valley,[1] carrying the minor road from Porlock Hill to Oare. It crosses Weir Water and is located down a steep, wooded lane beneath overhanging trees.[2]
Robber's Bridge | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Coordinates | 51°12′18″N 3°41′24″W / 51.205°N 3.690°W |
| Crosses | Weir Water |
| Other name(s) | Robbers Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Material | Granite |
| Width | 2.27 m |
| Longest span | 3.5 m |
| Location | |
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Some consider it to be a popular picnic spot,[3] accessible via a narrow, steep, and winding road.[4] In addition, from the nearby carpark, the bridge provides access to a grassland considered suitable for picnicking.[5]
Association with Lorna Doone
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The bridge takes its name from the fact that much of this area was dangerous bandit country in past centuries. R.D. Blackmore drew on the history and legends of this area to create his world-famous novel Lorna Doone.[6]
References
edit- ^ Montgomery, Elizabeth. "Robbers Bridge". Everything Exmoor. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ Ross, David. "Oare, Somerset Lorna Doone Country". Historic Somerset Guide. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ "Beautiful British bridges". The Telegraph.
- ^ "Hidden Gems". Hidden Somerset. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ "ROBBERS BRIDGE, NEAR DOONE VALLEY". visit-exmoor.co.uk. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "Robbers Bridge in Porlock". UK Attraction. Archived from the original on 14 January 2006. Retrieved 5 September 2016.