Postbridge

Postbridge is a hamlet in the heart of Dartmoor in the English county of Devon. It lies on the B3212, roughly midway between Princetown and Moretonhampstead.

Clapper bridge
The Clapper Bridge at Postbridge, dating from the 13th century
The Clapper Bridge at Postbridge taken from the existing road bridge looking south

Postbridge is next to the East Dart river, one of two main tributaries of the River Dart, and consists of a few houses, a shop, a pub and hotel, and a national park tourist information centre.

Postbridge is best known for its fine example of an ancient clapper bridge over the river. First recorded in the 14th century, the bridge is believed to have been built in the 13th century to enable pack horses to cross the river, carrying tin to the stannary town of Tavistock. The clapper bridge, a Grade II*-listed structure,[1] is still complete, and stands alongside another bridge, a Grade II-listed structure built in the 1780s.[2]

The settlement is also infamous for the ghost story of the Hairy Hands, which takes place near the village.[3]

References
  1. Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1105432)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 June 2010.
  2. Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1170849)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 June 2010.
  3. "Location of the Hairy hands myth". Google Maps. Retrieved 20 November 2006.


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