Torridge

Torridge district lies in north-west Devon, within the South West region of England. It centres on the River Torridge and its estuary at Bideford, crossed by the medieval Long Bridge. Main towns include Bideford, Great Torrington, Holsworthy, Appledore and Westward Ho!, each linked by country lanes and smaller rivers. The coastline contains headlands such as Hartland Point and beaches at Westward Ho!, and the South West Coast Path runs along much of the shoreline.

Agriculture, fishing and shipbuilding are part of the local economy; Appledore has a long shipbuilding tradition and ongoing repair yards. The district includes Lundy island in the Bristol Channel, reachable by scheduled boat services, and a network of footpaths including sections of the South West Coast Path and the Tarka Trail that follow rivers and cliffs. Markets and community events take place in town centres; historic features include parish churches, 15th-century buildings in Great Torrington and Bideford’s quay and warehouses.