'Just about scores as a Ford! Tarmac bottom, easy slope in/out, one car length and a small footbridge.'

There are actually three fords marked on the map at Aish, but this is the only one you can realistically access: with a 4x4! The other two fords just around the corner are way too overgrown.

The ford itself was small on this visit but flow down the track a little way and diagonally across the junction. I would imagine it would form quite a puddle when wet.

'Concrete bottom, easy slope in/out, one car length with easy access for all vehicles. Complete with ford sign and footbridge. Obvious signs of flooding debris, showing depth had been up to 2 feet!'

''Just south of Ashcombe; only object of interest is the ivy covered footbridge to which is attached a barely legible "Try your Brakes" sign.'

Link to geograph

Not strictly a ford this one but a considerable length of road which is flooded by the tide. Three sections of the road appear particularly prone to flooding (one pictured below), but the whole road will go under on a daily basis. The seaweed leaves a mark on the cliff in places and indicates that this is a road which shouldn't be used in high tide! Image 1 Mouseover and Image 2 sent in by Kevin Foster (22/10/2004).

Ford Snorkelling!

'This ford is found on the Forder Brook at Aysh.'

'This ford on the River Taw is found on the Tarka Trail near Yeo.'

'The signpost at the road junction here says Beer Ford, but I'm sorry to have to report that I tasted it and it is only water after all. Not to be confused with the famous seaside village of Beer, many miles away in East Devon. A nice little concrete-bottomed splash in a pretty setting; concrete bottom, ford signs, depth gauge, footbridge'

Bere Ferrers (x2!)

'The first tidal crossing is best approached from the Bere Ferrers side. The tidal road is on the edge of the village and is about 500yards long. It can be quite marshy under foot in places and the ford itself is thick mud and water at low tide about 15yards across with easy approach and exit. Today it was about two hours from high water so was about wheel height. Do not continue on past the exit, instead turn left and head up the lane into Gnatham as the road only continues for another 100yards before you are politely asked to not take your vehicle beyond this point (Images 1 to 3)'

The second is even more intimidating (Images 4 and 5).

'Newly made Irish bridge replaces ford, but still has full set of ford appurtenances: ford signs, footbridge, depth gauge. Steep ramp at eastern side, hence warning signs Risk of Grounding. Nice setting.'

Link to geograph

'Businesslike ford in shady setting. Two-car road width, about 5 yards across in August but clearly designed to cope with more serious flows. Concrete bottom, depth gauge, footbridge and causeway, Ford signs.'

'Signless, Irish Bridge.'

'You can see it runs diagonally across river at angle to bridge next to the garden of the Waterman's Arms. Difficult to comment on water depth. Image were taken last Sunday after dry spell. As to roughness, I would do it in my Dellow, maybe not in a normal car until I had driven it once. Difficult part is the nasty concrete lump on far bank in image 6131. You would need to negotiate this carefully. OK in dellow or 4x4 but nasty for normal car. '

Branscombe (x2!)

'This is a shallow ford with a firm bottom. Large notices suggest that it cannot be used as it is the alternative entrance to the National Trust car park which charges quite high fees. It would be undemanding if you had the stomach to drive it. Easy entry and easy exit.'

'Irish bridge, but also floods at the top of a spring tide. Lovely quiet spot at head of Cofflete Creek off the River Yealm. Vehicular access is from the north as the lanes to the east and the west have been closed to vehicles. I drove the lane to the East a few years ago when it was only "unsuitable for motors" and it was quite passable in a small car but very, very narrow. No depth gauge or signs, Pretty little stone footbridge. There is a small parking area and the footpath that runs downstream alongside the creek makes a pleasant walk.'

Link to geograph

'Busy road across Clyst Valley floodplain prone to flooding for about 300 yds, crossed by three transverse channels which form nasty dips (attested by sump marks on the cusps), which would be genuine fords at times of medium flood (but which would be a real hazard if the water was over the road either side, as you'd suddenly take a dive). Footbridge/pedestrian causeway, Ford sign on northern approach as well as Flood warning sign.'

'Well used concrete bottomed ford adjacent to humpbacked bridge in one the prettiest villages in Devon. Passable in any vehicle. About 10 feet across and three inches deep, not fast flowing.'

'Stone based ford around 6 inches deep, at a bend in the middle of the hamlet, access from North was rather narrow and overgrown though on my August visit...'

'This gravel ford across the River Taw is really a 4x4 job, 10m across and 6in deep, with steep gravel ramps, on an unmade byway that is little used by vehicles from the B3220 to the south. A public footpath crosses the adjacent high footbridge. From the north, don’t use the more inviting looking ramp to the east of the bridge.'

'It has a pave style surface and is generally 3-4" deep.'

'The crossing consists of a wide bank of soft sand, easy enough to walk over but inadvisable for motor vehicles, even to avoid the three pound parking charges on the mainland. Should the unwary traveller get stranded by the tide and exhaust the attractions of the Pilchard Inn, a strange wheeled yellow contraption, visible in the photo, can be hired to make the crossing. England, as attested to in the other image, is some 282 metres distant.' Image 1 mouseover sent in by John Carroll of 4x4 Magazine.

'Small gravel watersplash, reached by tarred lane from the east and Lee Lane, a narrow rutted rough byway, from the west. No signs, small slab footbridge. '

'Quite a wide ford but not very deep - only a couple of inches in the summer. Signs, depth gague and a bridge just a few yards away. Also an alternative road in case of high water levels which passes over a bridge a few hundered yards downstream.'

'Little watersplash in deep valley, steep hairpins both sides. Concrete bottom, small footbridge, Ford signs.'

'Irish bridge replacing former ford, depth gauge. No Ford signs.'

'The ford is unsigned, as the road now goes south of it, and over a bridge. The photo is taken from the west side of the ford looking south-eastish, and shows the road curving off. The track is mostly gravel, with a few larger stones. The run into the ford is similar, but soon turns to rocks only once you're into the ford. After some heavy rain, the ford was still only 6in or so deep in most places, so should be passable by most vehicles. There's a footbridge just north of the ford which makes recceing it much easier.'

'If it wasn't for the little grass track and the giveaway 'Unsuitable for Motors' sign, you would never even know that there is a ford here! From the looks of the road approaching the River Mole, nothing has attempted crossing it for many years - not even 4x4's can cross due to the narrow gate just visible in the picture!'

'This ford is found on a track known as Cocktree Throat.'

'The 1ft mark of this isolated depth gauge, at no apparent ford, is level with the crown of a completely dry road! '

'Small watersplash, concrete bottom, depth gauge, Ford signs, remains of footbridge biodegrading into undergrowth.'

'Signless, Irish Bridge.'

'This ford on the River Otter lies beside the new road bridge on the A373. The lane has been blocked on it's eastern side by many loads of road planings and has a padlocked gate on the western lane beside Turnpike Cottage. The ford is deep but it's a great shame that this ford has been blocked.'

'A short trackway running along the foreshore of the Teign estuary, connecting a pair of bungalows on the shore to the road system. There is public access to dry land at the road end only but there is room to turn a vehicle on the foreshore at the other end, so it is possible to drive along the track and return without trespassing (the number of tyre tracks at the best turning point suggested this is ofen done, perhaps by fishermen). The track starts at a ramp by the Combe Cellars pub car park and runs just below the sea wall around the pub (image 1), passes through a retractable section of a jetty (see below), fords a stream (image 2) then passes just below the high water mark (image 3) to the end. Most of the surface is firm gravel but the stream crossing is muddy and might need 4WD. This spot could also be tricky if the tide was still in and water hid the mud and rocks. The rest could be driven when still in water if the vehicle had sufficient clearance.

The most interesting feature of the track is the way it passes through a retractable section of a jetty outside the pub (image3, close-up iamge 4). This is retracted when the tide is out to open a gap and allow land vehicles to pass along the tidal track. When the tide rises this section is extended to link the jetty to shore. As far as I know this is a unique structure.'

'Image taken in April 1997. It is over the River Lyd in Devon, a couple of miles downstream from Lydford Gorge.'

'This ford at Cotleigh is found on Gully Lane.'

'On the line of a Roman Road over the River Yeo.'

'Tiny concrete watersplash on picturesque narrow lane. No signs, depth gauge or footbridge.'

'Going north, just after Greendale House, the ford enters Grindle Brook which was pebble bedded, about 7 feet wide and about 8 inches deep today. After about 20 yards along the brook it exits onto a tarmacadam road and goes through Crealy Adventure Park towards the A3052. There is a footbridge crossing the brook but no ford signs.'

Darracott hill is one of the famous West Country hills everybody has heard off but only Lands End trial drivers or spectators will have seen. The ford as shown is on the Devon/Cornwall border and the actual hill starts on the other side of the stream from the camera and is narrow and rocky and long with several hairpins.

So as to observe the MCC rule of no practice we drove "down" the hill from 222177 to 217169 the ford being at 223173. The hill is too narrow and the surface too fragile for 4 x 4s and not suitable for ordinairy cars.'

'Just inland from Dawlish is this impressively constructed Irish bridge with 'Road Liable to Flooding' signage, depth gauge, and a surfeit of ironmongery.'

'Tiny concrete watersplash on picturesque narrow lane complete with signs, depth gauge and footbridge. '

'It's over a stream that flows into the River Aune (or "Avon" depending on whether you're from Devon or not) adjacent to the car park at Shipley Bridge, near the Avon Dam on Southern Dartmoor. Used to be a picturesque little ford but now it's been filled in with pipe and tarmac. Looks like it still floods in wet weather though.'

Doddiscombsleigh (x2!)

Link to geograph

'This ford is found beside Veet Mill Farm below Drewsteignton.'

Dulford (x2!)

'Real little ford: although only about 3ft across, needs care because of sharp ramp in and out. Concrete ramps, paved bottom, Ford signs, depth gauge, footbridge. (Image 1)

'Next ford is on the northern exit from crossroads with size and construction similar to the ford above; Ford signs, depth gauge, small foot plank. (Image 2)'

Link to geograph

'Irish bridge, Ford signs.'

Don't be fooled by the picture, this is a rough old ford! About a foot deep with a loose gravel bottom, the problem lies on the exit ramps which have fallen into disrepair. I would expect most 4x4s to have difficulty, but a vehicle with good ground clearance should cope fine. The roads at either side are in good condition, but turning spaces are limited! No signs or gauge, footbridge.

'This ford is found on Spain Lane in Farringdon.'

Farway (x3!)

'This dry irish bridge ford is found just off Ball Lane on the track leading to Lambrook Farm just outside Farway which has two other notable fords (image 1).'

Th second is the smaller of the two fords in Farway. This one is found on Poltimore Road (Image 2).'

The third is the most significant of the three Farway fords. This one is found on Ball Lane next to the Old Mill House (Image 3).'

'This ford at Fishleigh Barton was converted to an irish bridge ford in 1979 but still regularly floods.'

'A nice little ford, tucked away in a remote valley of the Blackdown Hills, on a very obscure road. About 6ft wide, concrete ramps, paved bottom, footbridge, no signs.'

'Pleasant little Irish bridge with full set of signs.'

Goodshelter Tidal Road (x2!)

The two forded sections at Goodshelter are distinct and offer two completely different splashdowns. Approaching from west to east, the first ford encountered is where the tide spills into an embayment (Image 1). The asphalt road is the preferred route during higher tides, but an alternative route is available across the flats at low tide traversing a small stream approximately where Bradders, Gareth and Thom are stood (Image 2).

The next ford provides a full time splashdown as a small stream spills accross the road into the inlet. However, the road also floods at high tides (Image 3).

Link to geograph

Link to geograph

'The ford across the main stream has been bridged, but this little watersplash is at the junction of roughish stony roads a few yards to the south west. '

'Access from the eastern end is on a well signposted (Unmetaled Road) gravel track giving way to a grassy track. There is a sharp drop of about 12"-18" into the river which, when we drove it this morning was about 6" deep. There is a footbridge taking a footpath across right beside the ford. As we entered the water it was not immediatly evident where the exit was. It seemed from the map that the track went to the right from where we entered the water so we went right into the stream.

The main channel runs under the bridge and is not accessable by motor vehicle but there is a second smaller river channel which, upon thinking about it is where the river has chosen the course of the road to flow along. The road therefor follows along the course of the rocky/gravely stream bed for about 60-80 yards, never exceeding about 6" depth (although it looks like depths of 1-2' might be possible in wet conditions), before the stream diverts back to the main channel, again under a footbridge. There is a rope swing over the pool which has formed at the bend.

This pool is rather deeper than the rest of the stream and, after an aborted attempt at driving to the left on the outside of the bend, we made a succesful crossing to the right of the rope swing (on the north side of the stream) with the Defender having it's lights submerged and the Range Rover dipping one corner of the bonnet under water - I would estimate the depth of this pool at 30-36". The exit ramp from the water is smooth and reasonably shallow with a stoney bed. The end of the lane is about another 100 yards of muddy but firm sunken lane - beware of residents using it to park their cars right at the end.'

'The Landranger OS map honours this one with the word Ford. Clearly on this map this dignity is reserved for the mighty. It appears at a quick glance at the map to be on a yellow road, but this is deceptive. In a car, pay more attention to the No Through Road signs at each end, and the Unsuitable for Motor Vehicles on the final western approach.

Narrow approach roads of three-ply asphalt (grass up the middle) lead to a daunting monster across the River Lew whose terror lies not so much in its 30ft width or its rough gravel bottom (which would be negotiable by the more adventurous car driver), as in the precipitous muddy ramps leading in and out. Definitely one for 4x4s, trials cars and horse riders (although they are warned that the beefy footbridge is Unsuitable for Horses). In winter spate, this would indeed be a fearsome challenge.'

'Ford signs, depth gauge and footbridge. Quite fast flowing and about a foot deep when I went in December.'

'This ford is found beside East Okement Farm on Okehampton Ranges.'

Higher Westwater (x2!)

'The first crosses the River Yarty, there is a substantial footbridge alongside, no warning signs or depth gauge, depth is about 8-10 inches in summer (Image 1).'

The second is on the same UCR. It`s about 6 inches deep in summer. No warning signs or depth gauge (Image 2).'

Hillerton (x2!)

'Short, wide Irish bridge at site of former good little ford. No signs or depth gauge. (Image 1)'

'Tiny Irish bridge. No concrete or signs, but small footbridge still there. (Image 2)'

'This ford at Rackenford is found beside Colleton Hall.'

'It is along a dirt track which has no road signs of any description at either end, nor near the ford. I approached from the West, and immediately noticed signs of both 4-wheeled and 2-wheeled vehicles, although it seemed to be mainly used by horse riders. The hedges are getting overgrown, and almost meet in the middle in a couple of places. The ford itself is more like a large puddle, about a car-length wide, with just a muddy stoney bottom, and shouldn't pose any problem to any vehicle capable of reaching it. There is a concrete slab footbridge, which I had to clear of brambles to get across. Just on the other side the lane widens out and there is much evidence of 4x4 activity, although not actually through the ford.'

'Nice easy ford on good gravel Forestry road, not normally open to the public's cars but OK for cycles. Used on some motor trials. Concrete base, about 25ft across. No footbridge - take your wellies if you are walking there along the Tarka Trail. The photo shows a Ford Model A of about 1929 competing on a vintage trial in February 2003.'

'It’s a concrete based 20 foot wide ford, unlikely to get much deeper as there’s such a wide run-off area around it. There’s no access to it apart from on foot or by mountain bike unless you go through a gate marked ‘No Unauthorised vehicles’ in Belstone village. It’s a very pretty location but not of much use because of the access.'

'In the pretty village of Ide, on the edge of Exeter, a slipway beside the Huntsman Inn takes you into one of the longest fords in Britain - or it would if the Devon County Council hadn't spoilsportingly banned motorised traffic, so now it is one purely for the cyclists, web-footed or wellied pedestrians and equestrians - unless of course you are accessing a property further on. Anyone else can at least walk along the asphalted quayside.

The ford is the village street for a handsome row of cottages called The College, before turning a corner and becoming a country lane, ending after a full 105 paced yards. Not to be missed, especially as it is just one minute's drive from the A30 trunk road.'

Ideford (x2!)

'The first is on Towerhill Lane leading NE from Ideford, quite shallow though muddy, with what looks like a newly constructed stone footbridge. The second is a compartively easy ford to drive through thanks to it having a good solid base. There’s no signs or depth gauge ..and didn’t see any bridge either.'

'Off-roaders only, small loop off the road. Gravel bottom.'

Link to geograph

"This ford is found on the Two Moors Way track from Jurston to Lettaford close to Lower Jurston Farm."

'Irish bridge that has replaced former nice ford. No signs or other ford like accoutrements.'

Kentisbeare (x2!)

'Nice setted ford on well used local road. About 6ft across, Ford signs, depth gauge, footbridge (Image 1)'

'The second ford on the River Ken is found beside Glimster's Farm.'

'Part-time ford by railway bridge. Ford signs, depth gauge, footbridge and raised walkway under bridge. '

'This minor ford is found at Kingston'

'Very pleasant little concrete watersplash at a road junction, about 1.5m across. Ford signs aplenty, depth gauge, footbridge. '

Knowstone (x2!)

'The track from Knowstone is pretty good, easily passable in any normal family car, as is the ford. Once on the west side of the ford though, it climbs steeply up a very rough track that only improves once you get to Harpson - for this reason it's probably 4x4s only. The ford itself is pretty tame, only a couple of metres across, although it had been dry for a few days when I visited. The base is gravel, and the routes in and out are very shallow. There's a small footbridge on the north side of the ford. (Image 1)'

'The second is near the end of a short dead-end lane leading to a couple of houses. Footbridge.' Alan Ford

'This daunting crossing of the broad, fast-flowing Tamar is shown as a ford on the OS 1:25,000 map, part of an ORPA to Latchley; but I didn’t fancy it even in my high 4x4, and it clearly carries little wheeled traffic (although horse hoofmarks showed that adventurous riders come this way). Jay and Pete decided to drive from the horsebridge side across as the approach to the water was quite a steep drop and ruts make the Landrover lean heavily to the near side. The conditions were good, quite loose underfoot and a few sizeable boulders but nothing impassible. The depth was roughly about two foot - try to head directly for your departure point and all should be ok! You could also drive from the opposite side but you will need to give it plenty of welly for the exit!'

'Used this ford the other day. No issues for a Landy with raised intake at current water levels - it was about waist deep. However the entrance from Lamerhooe (north) side is very very muddy and silty. We had to build a bridge over it (it's only around 2m) Once you are about a foot into the water it's gravel bottom the whole way across including the exit on the south (cornwall) bank.' Matt Forbes

'This good gravel ford, 15m across and a foot deep, is part of a gravel road and a public bridleway. Footbridge only by the public footpath a hundred yards away; no signs or depth gauge.'

'This ford on Crooked Oak is found on the track leading up to Little Kidland.'

'A well-kept ford, with footbridge and road warning signs but no depth gauge. When I visited, the water was a couple of inches deep, less than 2 yards wide. Marked clearly on the OS Explorer Map.'

'This ford on the Littleham Brook is found along the track off Maer Lane.'

'A splendid five-star wetroad in a beautiful setting. At low tide, the River Tavy flows across a ford that is 50m across and 3" deep; but at high tide the ford and its approaches are covered to a width of 95m (Image 1 & Image 1 mouseover). Do not attempt to cross the top of the adjacent weir!'

Lower Tidderson (x2!)

'Two fords on an easily accessible ORPA'

'A little watersplash on a minor road near Tiverton. Ford signs, depth gague and a road bridge alongside.'

'Shallow with concrete base'

'The ford at Malmsmead, North Devon is well-documented as it lies at the heart of the so-called 'Doone Country' (linked with the novel 'Lorna Doone'). 'Malmsmead is a beautiful setted ford in a lovely location, preserved from improvement by the fact that the road actually crosses a bridge alongside.'

'Small concrete watersplash, about 1m across. Ford signs.'

'The tarred road now loops around to cross a bridge; the old gravel ford, and short track through it, remain as a magnet for summer visitors to the Dartmoor National Park. About 15m across and a foot deep, with a fine rough-hewn set of stepping stones. '

'We approached the ford from the South East up a white road marked "Unsuitable for Motor Vehicles" which in fact was level two-ply concrete and quite smooth. First of all we found the fast running stream culverted under the bridge in the first photo. Could easily flood the track in wet weather, we thought but no ford signs, poles etc. Continuing on for another 20 yds or so, we came to the proper job which is quite a deep ford with footbridge and a shingly bottom. Bear in mind the photos were taken at the end of a very dry spell and this ford in wet weather would be real challenge. After the ford, the road is tarmaced as per yellow on the map. The footbridge is easily approached on the south side but leads directly to a stile on the other side so walkers will find themselves on the inside of the field, not the side of the road!'

'The fords at Membury in Devon (Waterhouse Lane) are currently subject to a 18 month TRO (Traffic Regulation Order) from Feb 2008 to end of August 2009 prohibiting access by motorised vehicles. Martin Vaughan

'Technically this ford is closed now as there is a permanent road closed sign. It is still navagateable but the road has suffered heavy water damage and there is a mount of mud on the last ford exit. I managed to pass it fairly easily In a 4x4 though.' James Edwards

'This ford on Parsonage Lane is found at Meshaw.'

'This is an ordinary ford with setts and concrete base. There was very little water in it on Sunday but the poles and depth gauge make it a proper ford'

'Well made traditional paved ford, in excellent condition, on ORPA signed Unsuitable for Motors, but in fact a fairly good unmade road, easy for 4x4s and possible for well driven cars with good traction. 9m across, 3in deep, footbridge. '

'It's not signed as a road or a ford, but I use it occasionally as a shortcut across the creek at low tide, usually to bypass slow moving summer traffic. About 20 - 30 yards. Passable only when the tide is out and then 4x4 advised. In winter the stream can be up to 12" deep. (Image 1) There is a good pub nearby whose car park can only be accessed at certain stages of the tide too.... The Ship Inn, in Noss Mayo (Image 2).'

'Here is a ford across one of the main rivers in Devon - it can be pretty deep so care is needed. There is also usually quite a flow to it so careful steering is also required! From the west bank, down a lane and into a field, the ford presents itself with the exit directly opposite. This leads though a field which sometimes has sheep in it. Horses are also sometimes washed in the river so care and consideration are necessary.

Please also check if the gate on the east bank is locked or not. I am unsure about the rights of way to this track, the Rights of way officer at the council shuld be able to help.

The ford varies from 30cms to about 800cm depending on route and weather. I should imagine this rises further during storm water. if you don't have a snorkel I would recommend waders and a stick first!

An impressive, simple ford.'

'It is a small ford, located in the town centre just off A377. (Pump Road, on the left side of A377 towards Crediton.)' Image mouseover sent in by Paul Fennessy (30/03/2005).

'Just outside this attractive village in Dartmoor National Park is this ford, depicted on the OS Landranger map, which is on a short gated loop of public byway technically open to all traffic, but which is clearly maintained (and well gravelled) primarily for non-motorised users - be thoughtful if you are going to drive or motorbike along it. The ford itself is about 10" deep in summer, with a good gravel bottom, and a slippery and uneven set of stepping stones alongside. A pretty spot for a picnic.'

'Easily 2 foot deep (mid winter, lots of melt water), shallowest adjacent to the "stepping stones" on the downstream side. You can see the flow which indicates the deepest point.' Tim Wright

Okehampton Ranges (x2!)

This is on a loop of roads maintained by the Army for access to the ranges, to which the public are allowed access when not in use for firing or manoeuvres - go in at SX591931 and follow the newly laid asphalt. (A new bridge at this point has just replaced a rather nice ford, sadly.)

The ford is alongside a bridge labelled Light Traffic Only, so presumably it is maintained for heavier military vehicles. It is about 30ft across, and 10" deep, with gravel bottom and approach ramps. (Images 1 & 2)

After the previous ford, the road becomes a mix of gravel and broken, potholed asphalt - nasty but negotiable with care - to bring you to this little paved ford - pretty, but tricky because of the steep, abrupt ramp on the south side.

If you follow your nose onwards, it takes you round in a loop to rejoin the road in just north of the first ford. (Image 3)'

'This ford is found at the Reception to the Otterfalls Resort on the edge of the Blackdown Hills.'

'This ford is found on the byway leading to the hydraulic ram on Synderborough Farm. The ford was originally constructed to provide access to the pumping station at this point. There is a second ford further along the footpath.'

'The ford is well worth a visit and careful checking before driving. Basically there is a T-junction of two tracks (Image 1), the tracks can be muddy and the entrances to the ford needs some good ground clearance. The ford is on the 'T' of the junction and to get to the other road you have to drive down the river.

There is a footpath around but many trees obscure most of the view of the river. The river is narrow and I anticipate very narrow in summer. The Photos were taken this winter from standing in the river. At the time of driving ( in a Defender) the river was about half a metre at its deepest (Image 2) and 10 cm at its shallowest. Riverbed conditions vary through the ford varying from the remains of an old paved road to sand banks and a sandy flat river bed. there are some rocks but the main problem will be overhanging branches and the entrance/exit. Ford is about 100m long with a rest/turning point half way. Carries a warning sign about dangers of ford crossing warning that it can reach 36inches.'

"I drove the Payhembury ford this week, or at least the main track through it that runs East-West and that is now seriously overgrown. It's particularly bad to the West of the river, the branches from both sides are touching in the middle & it's just like driving through a hedge. Paddy ?

'Long wheel base trucks such as Navaras or warriors will need to take care at the exit of the ford. The turning is fairly tight and may require a shunt or two.' Dave Ruddy

'Attractive concrete ford, 11m across and 3in deep. Ford signs, depth gauge, footbridge.'

'Has a footbridge (with turnstiles at each end!), also FORD and TRY YOUR BRAKES signs. Despite recent heavy rain, the culvert underneath was well able to cope.'

A very picturesque ford traversing a road junction on Dartmoor formed via a gurgling spring in the middle of the road. Simple cobbled bottom and about a foot wide.

'Small watersplash on narrow stony public byway; heavy farm vehicles have made it difficult going even for roadgoing 4x4s. Footbridge.'

'Shallow concrete trough and approaches with small brook running through into duckpond (on otherside of footbridge & wall). Used by quite a bit of traffic whilst I was there as the wet road shows.'

Rackenford (x2!)

'There are two Rackenford fords on the Little Dart River. This second is found on Witheridge Moor just beyond Hilltown Cross near to Elworthy.'

'It's many years since I went there, but it now seems badly overgrown and reachable only on foot or on two wheels'

'This ford is found beside Ford Farm on Gribble Lane, Rockbeare.'

'50 yards west of the pub in this pretty Doone Valley hamlet, a rough narrow track leads a few yards down to this gravel ford across the East Lyn River, part of the ORPA that climbs steeply to Wilsham. '

'This ford is found on Buckham Hill at Romansleigh.'

'Deepish ford. about 20ft across, which gets tricky after rain. Gravel bottom, Ford signs, footbridge.'

'There is a sign at the eastern end of the lane (and probably the other end too) which says "Ford FOR 130 yds"' Alan Ford

'Irish Bridge on tributary of River Culm, with depth gauges each side, and footbridge. Situated in valley, close to Dunkeswell airfield.'

'I know the ford well having used it for many years when in the area. This time I took it a little faster than I should have and although the water is only about 1" deep it made a splash big enough to cover the windscreen. At my next stop I noticed that my front number plate was missing. My daughter thought it might have come off in the ford but I thought that unlikely as it is not near the ground. When we came back a few hours later, there it was just a few yards downstream - the "bow wave" must have pulled the screws out as they were still attached to the plate. I stopped the car just clear of the ford and my daughter's boy friend leapt out of the car to retrieve it not realising that the concrete slab was covered in a slippery slime and promptly fell over. We did get the plate back but it was damaged and will have to be replaced before the next MOT.'

www.vrsidmouth.co.uk

'This ford on Slade Lane is close to Hollies Trout Farm.'

'Little concrete watersplash on attractive upland Exmoor road; Ford signs, footbridge, depth gauge.'

This ford is just upstream from the tidal fords at Goodshelter and is considerably different in character. The ford is deep and has quite an uneven bottom, but is probably just possible in a light vehicle with a good ground clearance. The problem lies on the south bank, which is a green, slippy and steep! I visited South Pool at low tide, and I got the impression that a high tide would render the stepping stones impassable!

'This ford is found on the Reedy Brook at South Zeal.' Link to geograph

'Crosses a tributary of River Clyst. Flood warning and 'Try Your Brakes' signs either side.'

'Almost at the far end of a very tricky little asphalt road that climbs up on to Exmoor from Barbrook is this nice concrete ford, 4m across and 2" deep. Ford signs, depth gauge, footbridge (closed for repairs at time of visit).'

'This ford on the Alphin Brook is found on Crabb Lane, St Thomas'

'This ford is found on Star Barton Brook along Star Barton Lane.'

Stowford (x2!)

'Stream emerges at side of road at SY061871, flows north east along road for about 120yds, and exits on same side of road at SY061872. Surface of road changes from tarmac to concrete for this distance. About 3 inches deep and covering only one side of the road when seen. No obvious road signs etc. Also, at least two Irish Bridges in the immediate vicinity.'

'The second ford is a small Irish bridge equipped with a footbridge.'

'Muddy ford, 5m across and 6in deep, on rough ORPA - 4x4s only. Footbridge.'

'This ford is found on the Taw on Taw Marsh close to Horseshoe Ford. '

'The road here is right next to the River Taw, which seems to flood a bit in the Winter (note that despite the river being tidal, the tide itself rarely floods the road - it's normally heavy rain/melting snow that raises the river level and makes it burst its banks). There are flood signs and a depth gauge.'

'Good, fastish concrete-bottomed ford by pretty cottage. About 15ft across. Footbridge, Ford signs.'

'Ford across stream on minor road, just off main road through village. Normally quite shallow, but higher than usual due to heavy rain. Probably negotiable by four wheeled transport, but seemed a bit too daunting for my moped on this occasion! Paved bed, depth gauge and ‘Try Brakes’ notices. Stone arched pedestrian bridge.'

This timid looking rocky-bottomed ford is far from that. If you can negotiate the unfeasibly narrow lane on approach to the stream, then be prepared for the 'plunge'! The depth had quite an adverse effect on my old Saxo, which hissed, steamed and generally smelled for quite a time after!

'I do not know if it is a legal right of way but vehicles use it to get from Bowling Green Road Riversmeet to The Strand the base of the road is covered with a thin layer of mud which covers a stony base. The area is known as the Goat Walk; well that is the raised foot path anyway.

Image 1 shows exit into The Strand note tide mark on the raised pathway showing how deep the water gets. Image 2 shows the entrance exit to Bowling Green Lane / Riversmeet showing gravel ramp

'Small gravel watersplash on unmade public byway - didn't explore road through to east, but obviously carries some 4x4 traffic. Maybe not one for ordinary cars, although it is only 150 yds from yellow road.'

'One of the few yellow road fords marked on the OS 1;50,000 map in Devon turns out to be an Irish bridge. Ford signs (distant only), depth gauge, footbridge. The bigger hole in the middle was made a few years ago to allow salmon up river to spawn.'

'This is the first of two fords on Crooked Oak at West Cross Side'

'On a minor dead end road, this is little more than a small watersplash even after heavy winter rainfall. Signs, depth gague and a pretty little stone footbridge. '

'This ford is found on Tape Lane, a byway running between Dunkeswell and Buckerell.'

'Concrete part-timer with overgrown footbridge; no signs.'

'This ford is found on Hampton Lane in Whitford.'

'This ford is found within the environs of Knightstone Manor.'

'An unusual little watersplash, being both at a road junction and at the confluence of two streams. Paved bottom, Ford signs, depth gauge, footbridge across one stream. The hairpinned approach from the NE is very steep.'

A 4x4 is recommended due to the nature of the approach from the NE which can be very slippy Phil Durden

'This ford is found on Winneford Lane just north of Weston.'

'This ford on the Scotley Brook is found below Woodbrooke Farm.'

http://www.geograph.org.uk

'Tiny watersplash in idyllic setting, on lovely, twisty little lane. No signs, concrete bottom, small footbridge.'

'Not a drop of water to be seen when I went. Despite this, Devon County Council have given it a brand new metric and imperial depth gague and new ford/try your brake signs, as well as an extra 'Road liable to flooding' plate. To be honest, if it wasn't for the ford signs, you would never think it was a ford! No bridge, though. '