World War II Heritage Harbour Trail

World War II Heritage Harbour Trail celebrates wartime innovation delivered by small port communities. 

The exhibition 'Transformed by War' was created with input from nine Heritage Harbours across Britain. It uncovers some of the less well-known stories and demonstrates the innovative thinking necessary for success during the war years.

The exhibition covers how the Admiralty took control of shipbuilding, canals were used with the 'Idle Women', west coast ports became increasingly important, a crisis in coastal shipping and ports evolved, and training and developments for D Day in coastal areas.

Of particular interest to Freshspring and North Devon are the sections contributed by Bideford & River Torridge Heritage Harbour about the builders of the 'Fresh Class' water carriers; Lytham Shipbuilding and Engineering; and the role of the Torridge Estuary as a training ground for beach landings and in developing innovative vehicles and techniques for success on D Day.

The 'Transformed by War' exhibition can be viewed at The Pocket Climbing and Bouldering Centre, 75 High Street, Bideford EX39 2AA, from 12 -17 September (open 1000-1800 daily). A shorter version will be displayed on the foredeck of Freshspring on Sunday, 14 September, as part of Heritage Open Days. 

The Torridge Estuary WW II trail is available at: https://barthh.org/ww-ii-trail-torridge-estuary/

Full details of the 'Transformed by War' Exhibition and nationwide events are available at https://maritimeheritage.org.uk/heritage-harbours/transformed-by-war-exhibition.