| River Barle | |
|---|---|
 Tarr Steps viewed downstream | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | England |
| Counties | Devon,Somerset |
| Cities | Withypool,Simonsbath |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | NearSimonsbath,Exmoor,Somerset |
| • coordinates | 51°08′30″N3°48′38″W / 51.14167°N 3.81056°W /51.14167; -3.81056 |
| • elevation | 400 m (1,300 ft) |
| Mouth | River Exe |
• location | Exebridge,Devon |
• coordinates | 51°00′37″N3°31′55″W / 51.01028°N 3.53194°W /51.01028; -3.53194 |
| Length | 39.6 km (24.6 mi)[1] |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Little River |
| • right | Sherdon Water |
TheRiver Barle runs from theChains on northernExmoor, inSomerset, England to join theRiver Exe atExebridge,Devon. The river and theBarle Valley are both designated asbiological Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
On theChains aboveSimonsbath is a 3-acre (1.2-hectare) former reservoir known as Pinkery Pond. It was formed in the 19th century when John Knight and his son dammed the river at that point. Vestiges of a small water channel sometimes referred to as a 'canal' can be seen nearby.[2][3]Wheal Eliza Mine was an unsuccessful copper and iron mine on the river near Simonsbath.
The river passes under a late medieval six-arch stoneLandacre Bridge inWithypool,[4] and theTarr Steps, aprehistoricclapper bridge possibly dating from 1000 BC. The stone slabs weigh up to 5 tons apiece. According to local legend, they were placed by the devil to win a bet. The bridge is 180 feet (55 m) long and has 17 spans.[5] It has been designated byEnglish Heritage as a grade Ilisted building.[6] InDulverton the river is crossed by theBarle Bridge.
The river flows through theSomerset Wildlife Trust's Mounsey Wood Nature Reserve andKnaplock and North Barton SSSI, first notified in 1954, which are withinExmoor National Park. These sites are home to species such as thekingfisher and Knaplock and North Barton is one of the only sites ofgreat burnet on Exmoor. The river itself has been recorded as a habitat for theEurasian otter.[7]
Salmon[specify] andtrout[specify] are regularly fished from the Barle.[8]
For much of its route, the river's banks are the path of theTwo Moors Way footpath.[9]
The upper reaches of the Barle have favourablerapids which appeal towhitewater kayakers. The rapids areGraded at 2 (3-) which beginner to intermediatekayakers andcanoeists paddle.[10][11]
