Tiverton : Longdrag Hill

Image: © Lewis Clarke Taken: 17 Apr 2009

This road leads to South Molton, and acquired it's unusual name. Although one may be tempted to imagine that the relentless climb of some two miles is indeed a "longdrag", the name was given for the reverse reason. Before the invention of the internal combustion engine and tarmac roads, this route was the highway to the west from Tiverton and the only way for horse drawn carriages to travel in that direction. The long slope down to Tiverton was dangerous as carriages could run away so the coachdrivers would throw out a weighted line to drag behind them so ensure that the coach didn't try and overtake the horses! These were the longdrags - Thanks to John Howard Norfolk for the information.

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