Your guide to Ivybridge

Welcome to Ivybridge, Gateway to the Moor and the South Devon coastline

Ivybridge is a bustling, friendly town set on the banks of the beautiful River Erme ideally situated as a base to visit Dartmoor and the South Hams, a designated area of outstanding natural beauty, all within easy reach.

The town is known as the 'Gateway to the Moor' and is the start/finish point of the long distance walking path The Two Moors Way.

Look north and visible high above the town is the Western Beacon and to the south , the South Devon coast with its stunning beaches, rolling green countryside and twisting Devon lanes waiting to be explored.

In the heart of the town are the beautiful Longtimber Woods and riverside walks

History

The town enjoys both a magnificent natural setting and centuries of history as a mill town and a staging post on the London Road. Tumbling from the moors, the River Erme has formed the lifeblood of the town and provided power for three mills, one of which still stands today on Harford Rd.

Originally, a ford crossed the river before construction in the 12th or 13th century of a packhorse bridge – the Ivy Bridge, a feature immortalised by a number of important artists including J M W Turner. Spanning the valley a little further upstream, the railway viaduct provides a striking backdrop to the town and is a favourite with photographers; nearby are the publicly owned Longtimber Woods where the pillars remaining from the original 1848 Brunel structure can be seen.

If you would like to explore further, self guided walks around Ivybridge are available to purchase from The Watermark Information Desk