Moorings on the River Torridge

The River Torridge runs 93 kilometres through north Devon and becomes an estuary at Bideford, where it is crossed by the old Long Bridge. Below the town it flows down to Appledore and joins the estuary of the River Taw between Appledore and Instow, before reaching Bideford Bay.

Boats reach the estuary over the Bideford Bar, which can usually be crossed from about two hours before to two hours after high water depending on draught, and should be avoided in fresh onshore winds or a heavy swell. Drying sands line the estuary and the tide runs strongly off Appledore, especially around mid-ebb. Torridge District Council runs Bideford Harbour, which still takes ships of 90 metres and more, but there is no harbour master at Appledore or Instow.

Moorings on the River Torridge begin in the pool off Appledore, between Grey Sand Hill and the western edge of Instow Sands, and boats can lie alongside Appledore Quay. Across the water there are moorings and anchorages between Grey Sand Hill and Crow Point off Instow. At Bideford the council manages 300 metres of quay between the Long Bridge and the New Torridge Bridge, with visitor berths for up to a month by arrangement with the harbour master and a flat, maintained berth where boats can safely take the ground.