River Avill

River Avill
Gallox Bridge, Dunster
Map
Location
CountryEngland
CountySomerset
CitiesTimberscombe, Dunster
Physical characteristics
SourceDunkery Beacon
 • locationSomerset, England
 • coordinates51°09′27″N 3°35′20″W / 51.15750°N 3.58889°W / 51.15750; -3.58889
MouthDunster Beach
 • location
Dunster, Somerset, England
 • coordinates
51°11′23″N 3°25′19″W / 51.18972°N 3.42194°W / 51.18972; -3.42194

The River Avill is a small river on Exmoor in Somerset, England.

It rises on the eastern slopes of Dunkery Beacon and flows north through Timberscombe and Dunster flowing into the Bristol Channel at Dunster Beach. It runs South-West of Minehead, and North of Taunton.

The Gallox Bridge in Dunster dates from the 15th century. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument.[1] It is a narrow stone packhorse bridge, on the southern outskirts of Dunster, with two arches over the River Avill. It was originally known as Gallows Bridge and has a roadway width of 1.2 metres (3.9 ft), a total width of 1.9 metres (6.2 ft) and is 13.5 metres (44.3 ft) long.[2] The river then skirts Dunster New Park surrounding Dunster Castle.[3]

Near to Dunster Beach the stream is crossed by a bridge on the West Somerset Railway.

The river was part of the inspiration for the hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Gallox Bridge". historicengland.org.uk. English Heritage. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  2. ^ "Gallox Bridge". Pastscape. Historic England. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  3. ^ "Dunster New Park". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  4. ^ "Avill Valley". Everything Exmoor. Retrieved 25 September 2009.