Horrabridge

Horrabridge is a village on the River Walkham, inside the National Park, about 4 miles south of Tavistock and 12 miles north of Plymouth. The 2021 census recorded 2,199 people. The name is understood to mean 'boundary bridge', because several parishes met at the crossing.

The bridge is listed Grade I and is the only vehicular crossing between the two sides of the village. The village history page dates the stone bridge to the 13th century, with traces of an earlier one beneath it, while other accounts say 15th century. It appeared in the children's television programme Bagpuss. The Walkham powered tin and copper mining, mills and wool manufacture. The old Plymouth to London route ran through, and the village history page says Katherine of Aragon came this way on her journey to marry Prince Arthur. Grimstone Manor is recorded from 1309 and Monkwell House from the 14th century. The railway opened in 1859 and the village grew with it.

Brunel's Walkham Viaduct, built around 1859 for the Tavistock line, had timber spans on stone piers and was demolished in 1965 after the railway closed. Gem Bridge replaced it in steel, just over 200 metres long and 24 metres above the river, reusing the old stonework. It carries National Cycle Network Route 27 towards Tavistock and Plymouth. Horrabridge has been twinned with Tilly-sur-Seulles in Normandy since 1974.