River Barle

---

title: "River Barle" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["rivers-of-somerset", "rivers-of-devon", "exmoor", "sites-of-special-scientific-interest-in-somerset", "exe-catchment"] description: "River in Somerset and Devon, England" topic_path: "technology/web" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Barle" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary River in Somerset and Devon, England ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox river"]

Field	Value
name	River Barle
image	Tarr Steps 02.jpg
image_caption	Tarr Steps viewed downstream
subdivision_type1	Country
subdivision_name1	England
subdivision_type2	County
subdivision_type3	Counties
subdivision_name3	Devon, Somerset
subdivision_type5	Cities
subdivision_name5	Withypool, Simonsbath
length_km	39.6
length_ref
source1_location	Near Simonsbath, Exmoor, Somerset
source1_coordinates
source1_elevation	400 m
mouth	River Exe
mouth_location	Exebridge, Devon
mouth_coordinates
tributaries_left	Little River
tributaries_right	Sherdon Water
::

| name = River Barle | name_native = | name_native_lang = | name_other = | name_etymology = | image = Tarr Steps 02.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = Tarr Steps viewed downstream | map = | map_size = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption= | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = England | subdivision_type2 = County | subdivision_name2 = | subdivision_type3 = Counties | subdivision_name3 = Devon, Somerset | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = Cities | subdivision_name5 = Withypool, Simonsbath | length_km = 39.6 | length_ref = | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = | discharge1_max = | source1 = | source1_location = Near Simonsbath, Exmoor, Somerset | source1_coordinates= | source1_elevation = 400 m | mouth = River Exe | mouth_location = Exebridge, Devon | mouth_coordinates = | mouth_elevation = | progression = | river_system = | basin_size = | tributaries_left = Little River | tributaries_right = Sherdon Water | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra =

The River Barle runs from the Chains on northern Exmoor, in Somerset, England to join the River Exe at Exebridge, Devon. The river and the Barle Valley are both designated as biological Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

On the Chains above Simonsbath is a 3 acre former reservoir known as Pinkery Pond. It was formed in the 19th century when John Knight and his son dammed the river at that point. Vestiges of a small water channel sometimes referred to as a 'canal' can be seen nearby. Wheal Eliza Mine was an unsuccessful copper and iron mine on the river near Simonsbath.

The river passes under a late medieval six-arch stone Landacre Bridge in Withypool, and the Tarr Steps, a prehistoric clapper bridge possibly dating from 1000 BC. The stone slabs weigh up to 5 tons apiece. According to local legend, they were placed by the devil to win a bet. The bridge is 180 ft long and has 17 spans. It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building. In Dulverton the river is crossed by the Barle Bridge.

Ecology

The river flows through the Somerset Wildlife Trust's Mounsey Wood Nature Reserve and Knaplock and North Barton SSSI, first notified in 1954, which are within Exmoor National Park. These sites are home to species such as the kingfisher and Knaplock and North Barton is one of the only sites of great burnet on Exmoor. The river itself has been recorded as a habitat for the Eurasian otter.

Recreation

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/River_Barle_at_Simonsbath.jpg" caption="The Barle at [[Simonsbath" alt="water flowing through a green valley with numerous trees."] ::

Angling

Salmon and trout are regularly fished from the Barle.

Walking

For much of its route, the river's banks are the path of the Two Moors Way footpath.

Kayaking and canoeing

The upper reaches of the Barle have favourable rapids which appeal to whitewater kayakers. The rapids are Graded at 2 (3-) which beginner to intermediate kayakers and canoeists paddle.

References

References

1. [https://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/WaterBody/GB108045015100 Lower Barle] [https://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/WaterBody/GB108045020870 Middle Barle] [https://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/WaterBody/GB108045020880 Upper Barle] - Catchment Data Explorer
2. Warren, Derrick. (2005). "Curious Somerset". Sutton Publishing.
3. "MSO6847 - Pinkery Canal (formerly Pinkworthy) (Monument)". Exmoor National Park Authority.
4. {{NHLE
5. Leete-Hodge, Lornie. (1985). "Curiosities of Somerset". Bossiney Books.
6. {{NHLE
7. "Barle Valley". Natural England.
8. "River Barle". Everything Exmoor.
9. "Walk 1860 - The River Barle and Withypool from Tarr Steps". Walking Britain.
10. "Guide to the River Barle". UK Rivers Guidebook.
11. "River Barle". British Canoe Union South West.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::