River Avill

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

River Avill
Location
CountryEngland
CountySomerset
CitiesTimberscombe, Dunster
Physical characteristics
SourceDunkery Beacon
 • locationSomerset, England
 • coordinates51°09′27″N 3°35′20″W
MouthDunster Beach
 • location
Dunster, Somerset, England
 • coordinates
51°11′23″N 3°25′19″W

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 2009-04-13.
  2. "Gallox Bridge". Pastscape. Historic England. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  3. "Dunster New Park". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
  4. "Avill Valley". Everything Exmoor. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
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