Horrabridge

Horrabridge is a village in West Devon, England with a population of 2,115 people in 2006, down from 2,204 in 1991.[1] It is located approximately 12 miles (19 km) north of the city of Plymouth and 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Tavistock and is within the Dartmoor National Park. Horrabridge is a major part of Walkham electoral ward. The population at the 2011 census was 3,115.[2]

It sits on the River Walkham, a fishing river famous for its salmon. The village's name may have been taken from the 15th century pack-horse bridge which remains the only vehicular route from one side of the village to the other, and featured in the children's television programme Bagpuss.[3][4]

Horrabridge has two pubs, the Leaping Salmon and the London Inn but has lost many of its shops over the last 20 years including a draper, television shop and general store. The village does however retain its post office, family bakery, hairdresser, florist, DIY and hardware shop, and newsagent.

Until the beginning of the 20th century, the main industry was the mining of copper and tin. This industry has completely disappeared, leaving a legacy of unmapped mineshafts in the village and the surrounding area. It is a popular starting point for walks on Dartmoor and has become a dormitory village for the adjoining towns.

Horrabridge has a football club associated with it; Horrabridge Rangers Sports Association. The football club has 2 adult teams and 8 youth teams. The football club has been around for over 100 years and provides a useful activity for the children of Horrabridge and the surrounding villages of Yelverton, Buckland Monachorum, Crapstone, Meavy and Walkhampton.

Musician Seth Lakeman recorded his album Kitty Jay in Horrabridge.[5]

It is twinned with Tilly-sur-Seulles in Normandy.

References

  1. ↑ "Dartmoor Baseline Profile (p.10)". Devon County Council. Retrieved 2009-07-12.
  2. ↑ "Walkham ward 2011.Retrieved 17 Feb 2015".
  3. ↑ Photo by Francis Frith: "Photo of Horrabridge, the Bridge 1898". Retrieved 2011-11-26.
  4. ↑ "Bagpuss Opening credits". Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  5. ↑ "Kitty Jay – Seth Lakeman". 2004.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Horrabridge.

Coordinates: 50°30′N 4°06′W / 50.500°N 4.100°W