A walk along the river

A gentle loop between two villages, chosen because it crosses the water four times and each crossing is a different century.

The crossings

1. The mill bridge. Two low segmental arches, cutwaters upstream only. Probably eighteenth century, rebuilt parapets. Good place to start because the car park is free.
2. The ford. Not a bridge at all, which is the point. Stepping stones on the downstream side, slippery in any weather.
3. The old bridge. Single span, slightly pointed, the only one of the four that feels medieval. A worn cross on the upstream face.
4. The weir footbridge. Concrete, 1970s, honest about it. Best view of the valley.

Practical

Eleven and a half kilometres, mostly gravel and field edge, one steep pull after the weir. Allow three hours with stops. The café in the second village was shut on a Tuesday; the bench outside it is excellent.