Shaugh Bridge

Shaugh Bridge is a 17th-century road bridge beside a National Trust riverside walking area, at the meeting of the River Meavy and River Plym. The visit goes beyond the crossing: there is woodland, boulder-strewn water and a footpath into the Plym valley. The bridge’s arches were washed away in a sudden thaw in 1824 and rebuilt the next year. For a photo, aim toward the rocky water where the two rivers join; that confluence is the defining view.

The National Trust’s Bricks, Boulders and Bronze walk covers 5.6 km (3.5 miles) and takes about 2–3 hours. From the car-park noticeboard, the route crosses a footbridge over the Plym; the remains of a Ferro-Ceramic mine and brickworks are just ahead. The path climbs across granite boulders toward an old quarry tramway and continues among traces of Dartmoor’s working and prehistoric past. Dewerstone is the route’s big landmark: its granite crag rises 160 m above the river and has more than 100 climbing routes. Old quarries, a 19th-century brickworks and a Bronze Age burial make this more than a woodland ramble.

This is a rewarding stop if you want a river setting or a few hours outside; the longer route is steep and uneven, with boggy sections, so wear sturdy footwear and carry a map and compass. The wider area has no general waymarked paths. Parking is limited, and there are no toilets at the National Trust car park. The entrance is west of Shaugh Prior, about 3 miles from the A386; the postcode is PL7 5HD. The White Thorn pub in nearby Shaugh Prior serves food and local ales, but it is a separate stop. Dogs are welcome; keep them under close control and on a lead from 1 March to 31 July.