Discover Ivybridge: River Landscapes, Trails and History

Ivybridge combines a riverside landscape, historic trails and a remarkable heritage of traditional industries in South Devon. The River Erme shapes the experiences here: you can walk alongside small waterfalls and pools, look out for dippers and grey wagtails, or explore the bridges and structures closely connected with the development of the town. Ivybridge is therefore particularly appealing when searching for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage if you would like to spread nature experiences and cultural interests across different days.

Riverside trails for different day plans

An accessible introduction to the landscape is the path through Longtimber Woods. It begins at the upper end of Station Road below the railway viaduct in Ivybridge. After 1 km, you reach an information board and a picnic area overlooking the river. The path is linear and sheltered by a river valley, has a gentle gradient and a broad gravel surface. Along the River Erme, it leads upstream past small waterfalls and pools. Anyone who wants to do more than simply admire the landscape during a walk can also look out here for dippers and grey wagtails.

For a longer tour, the Erme Valley Trail is a good option. It runs for 3 miles along the valley from Ivybridge to the village of Ermington and is comprehensively signposted. The Erme-Plym Trail runs from Wembury to Ivybridge; it is 15 miles (24 km) long, generally easy and takes in the area around the Erme Valley south of Ivybridge. This route offers views of Dartmoor, which dominates the northern horizon. You can therefore choose between a short path with specific viewpoints, a signposted valley route and a more extensive walk.

Bridges, Aqueduct and Craft Heritage

Ivybridge’s history did not begin with today’s walking trails. The town was first mentioned in 1280 as a crossing point over the River Erme. The original Ivy Bridge is a medieval packhorse bridge and still stands today. The Ivybridge Aqueduct is listed as a Grade II building of special architectural or historic interest. It was built in the late 18th or early 19th century to supply John Berry's Woollen Mill, carrying water from the River Erme. This connection between river, transport and production makes the town’s historic traces particularly vivid.

Ivybridge has a rich heritage of traditional industries in South Devon, including milling and cloth production. The geology of the river valley also tells its own story: outcrops in the River Erme north of the railway viaduct show Upper Devonian slate that was baked by the intrusion of hot granite. This makes it possible to combine very different interests during a stay – from a natural-history-focused riverside walk to exploring architectural history, crafts and the shaping of the landscape.

Which location is right for your accommodation?

Ivybridge lies just off the A38 between Plymouth and Exeter and is served by bus links from Exeter and Torbay. This location is relevant when planning your journey if you are looking for accommodation with convenient road access while also wanting to start tours that run in or near Ivybridge. A holiday apartment in Ivybridge can serve as a base for days by the River Erme, on the Erme Valley Trail or on the Erme-Plym Trail; a holiday cottage is another option if you see your accommodation more as a starting point for planning your own daily routine. Which location makes sense for you depends primarily on whether you want to focus on short riverside trails, historical discoveries or a longer signposted route.

The Watermark Centre in Ivybridge has public toilets. This specific detail may be useful when planning a day around the local trails. For further impressions, you can then visit the pages for Whimple, Sampford Courtenay, Frithelstock, Uplyme, Chagford, Lifton, Crediton and Tawstock.

To the higher-level travel overview: Devon.