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[[File:Bideford bridges from Upcott Hill - geograph.org.uk - 867952.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Bridges over River Torridge at Bideford]]
{{county|Devon}}
The '''River Torridge''' is a river in the north of [[Devon]] which enters the [[Bristol Channel]] in the long estuary of the [[River Taw]].

The Torridge rises near [[Meddon]] in Devonshire, close to the border of Cornwall and close to the sea; from here it flows eat and south-east away from the coast. The river describes a long loop through Devon farming country where its tributaries the [[River Lew (Torridge)|Lew]] and [[River Okement|Okement]] join before meeting the [[River Taw]] at [[Appledore, Devon|Appledore]] and flowing into the Bristol Channel.

The river is spate-dependent and often flows between wooded banks which can be steep. After heavy rain the water can be coloured.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rivertorridge.org.uk/pages/?page_id=2|title=The River Torridge|accessdate=June 5, 2014|publisher=rivertorridge.org.uk}}</ref>

==Route==
The river rises close to the border with [[Cornwall]] (north of the source of the [[River Tamar]]). Its two primary sources are Seckington Water, which rises near Baxworthy Cross, and Clifford Water, the longer of the two, which rises alongside the A39 at [[Clovelly|Higher Clovelly]]. These run south and join to form the Torridge at [[Huddisford]]. It then flows generally east, passing between [[East Putford]] and [[West Putford]], and near [[Bradford, Devon|Bradford]] it is joined by the [[River Waldon]], then heads east past [[Black Torrington]] and [[Sheepwash, Devon|Sheepwash]].  It is joined by the [[River Lew (Torridge)|River Lew]] near [[Hatherleigh]], and then by the [[River Okement]] near [[Meeth]].

The Torridge then flows northwards, picking up the [[River Mere]] south of [[Beaford]].  After this it makes tight bends, and goes past [[Little Torrington]] and [[Great Torrington]] heading generally north-west.  It is joined by the [[River Yeo (Torridge)|River Yeo]] at [[Pillmouth]], and then becomes estuarine by [[Bideford]]. Between [[Appledore, Devon|Appledore]] and [[Instow]] it joins the estuary of the [[River Taw]] and enters [[Bideford Bay]].

==In popular fiction==
The Torridge was the home of Tarka the Otter in Henry Williamson's book of that name.

The [[Tarka Trail]] walking and cycle route partly follows the course of the North Devon Railway, which, for a considerable distance, closely followed the line of the river.  South of Bideford the railway crossed from one bank to the other, and the Trail provides a good vantage point for viewing the river.

==References==
{{reflist|40em}}

*{{Pevsner}}

[[Category:Rivers of Devon|Torridge]]