Dartmoor’s ancient clapper bridge you can still walk across
Postbridge Clapper Bridge will always be one of my favourite spots on Dartmoor.
It combines two of my very favourite things – glorious scenery and history.
So here’s everything you need to know about its history – and how to visit!
A bridge shaped by Dartmoor’s tin trade
Postbridge Clapper Bridge cuts across the East Dart River at one of Dartmoor’s most atmospheric spots.
Long before this quiet hamlet became a starting point for walkers heading into the moor, it was a practical crossing for packhorses.
These animals transported tin from Dartmoor’s interior to Tavistock, the nearest stannary town, where it could be weighed, taxed and sold.
Of course, Dartmoor has a lot of rivers, and the rivers needed crossing. So this clapper bridge – and many others – were built!
Constructed using massive granite slabs supported by upright stones, the bridge is believed to date back to the 13th century – it was mentioned in records from 1380 mention it, but the structure is likely older.
Each slab is over four metres long and weighs up to eight tons. It was placed without mortar, relying solely on balance and weight. It’s one of the best surviving examples of a “clapper bridge” — a design once common in Dartmoor and other parts of southwest England.
What are clapper bridges?
The word “clapper” comes from the Old English cleaca, meaning stepping stones or bridging stones. These bridges were built wherever regular flooding made fording a river unreliable. Their simplicity made them ideal for rural communities — no nails, cement or specialist tools required. Just locally quarried granite and a bit of skill!
Over 30 clapper bridges are known to have existed on Dartmoor, but many have been lost to floods, modern development or simple disuse. Postbridge’s example is by far the most famous — partly because of its scale, but also because of the ease with which it can be visited.
Survival and repair
Despite its age and exposed position, Postbridge Clapper Bridge has largely survived intact. In the 19th century, one of its slabs was dragged into the river by a farmer attempting to create a duck pond.
It was retrieved and reinstalled in 1879 — this was the only recorded major repair. The bridge is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade I listed, so it’s protected from further damage or alteration.
To accommodate increasing traffic in the 18th century, a more modern arched stone bridge was built just downstream. This new crossing took the pressure off the old bridge, which was no longer needed for wagons or carts – today, it’s just a quirky and historic attraction.
Planning a visit
Postbridge sits in the centre of Dartmoor National Park.
The bridge itself is just a few metres from the main road (B3212), and a public car park (pay and display, contactless accepted) and visitor centre are directly opposite. You can also park nearby on the road (for free) if there’s space.
See the Google Maps link here.
From here, you can follow trails into Bellever Forest or head towards Roundy Park and Hartland Tor.
Nearby moorland contains hut circles, burial cairns and standing stones – remnants of Bronze Age settlements that predate the clapper bridge by thousands of years!
Before doing any hiking on Dartmoor, make sure you read my list of unwritten rules for the moor.
Practical tips
You can walk across the clapper bridge, but the surface is uneven and can be slippery after rain.
There are no fences or guardrails, so take care – especially if visiting with children.
The Dartmoor National Park Visitor Centre in Postbridge has maps, local information, and displays about the bridge and the area’s history. It’s definitely worth stopping into.
Public toilets and a small shop are located nearby. Mobile signal is a little spotty in the village though – don’t rely on it!
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And don’t miss my things to do in Dartmoor and Dartmoor three day itinerary blog posts!
