Countess Wear Bridges are two bridges in Exeter, Devon that cross the River Exe and the Exeter Ship Canal. They have a D-Day connection because they were used for military training by British paratroops prior to the Normandy landings in 1944. The bridges were chosen because they resembled two bridges in France that were part of the Operation Deadstick, a daring mission to capture and hold the crossings over the Caen Canal and River Orne. The training involved rehearsing different scenarios and tactics in case the plan went wrong on D-Day.

Exe Ventura

October 20, 2022

Cycling

Memorial plaque at the bridge reads

"In May 1944, these bridges played an important part in the preparations for D-Day. They were used over a period of three days and nights, for rehearsals of the famous and crucial glider borne attack on the bridge over the Canal de Caen (Pegasus Bridge) and the River Orne (Horsa Bridge), by the Second Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, on the night 5/6 June 1944."

foxy44

April 23, 2021

Cycling

Very busy main road but well provided with cycle paths so no need use the road.

Routes here

Top cycling routes to Countess Wear Bridges

4.7

(99)

1,158

riders

1. Turf Hotel – Exeter Ship Canal loop from Dawlish

42.5km

02:27

120m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.6

(77)

978

riders

2. Exeter Quayside – Exeter Ship Canal loop from Exeter St Thomas

32.8km

01:52

40m

Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.7

(67)

906

riders

3. Exeter Ship Canal – Turf Hotel loop from Newcourt

36.5km

02:06

120m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

Details

Informations

Elevation 60 m

Weather

Today

Wednesday 28 January

9°C

2°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h

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Location: Exminster, Teignbridge, Devon, South West England, England, United Kingdom

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Countess Wear Bridges

1. Turf Hotel – Exeter Ship Canal loop from Dawlish

2. Exeter Quayside – Exeter Ship Canal loop from Exeter St Thomas

3. Exeter Ship Canal – Turf Hotel loop from Newcourt

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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