Attractions History & Heritage The Great Outdoors Things To Do

Tarka Otter Statue

The Tarka Otter Statue is a beautiful reminder of enduring local wildlife and is situated in the beautiful Devonshire coastal town of Bideford at The Quay

It pays homage to the youngster of British literature, Henry Williamsons’s Tarka the Otter, who, according to popular legend swam in the nearby River Torridge, which is also home to freshwater wildlife

The statue stands 32 feet high, is bronze cast and was designed by renowned artist Les Johnson

Visitors can admire its detail and beauty while walking along the waterfront and deeper into the heart of the town

Images

Click any of the images of Tarka Otter Statue below to see larger versions

Contact Information

Tarka Otter Statue Reviews

Below are the latest reviews of Tarka Otter Statue.

4.0

Based on 12 reviews

Review on

Opening Hours:

Monday: Open 24 hours

Tuesday: Open 24 hours

Wednesday: Open 24 hours

Thursday: Open 24 hours

Friday: Open 24 hours

Saturday: Open 24 hours

Sunday: Open 24 hours

Address: The Quay, Bideford EX39 2AG, UK

Angus Hamilton

a month ago

Oh dear. Poor tired old Bideford – superficially it looks quite nice but in reality it's very dreary with very little going for it. The stone bridge is an impressive structure and I wasn't aware of the Tarka the Otter connection but the town seemed dead and all the shops in the Pannier were shut at 4.30pm.

Reverend Lord Lev

a year ago

Tarka is a local legend, growing up on the mean streets of Torrington, Tarka started hanging around with the wrong group of otters so his parents moved him to his Aunt's to get a better chance at life in Weare Giffard and it was here that Tarka really made a name for himself. Single handedly rising the otter population by 600% and fighting off the local bully Terry the water weasel. Tarka was found dead one day after a night out with some promiscuous lady otters and it is believed that he had an accidental overdose. Bideford decided to commemorate Tarkas success in rising the numbers of otters in the area by creating this lovely statue.

Chrissie Room

6 years ago

Love how Tarka has quickly become a landmark in Bideford. You are encouraged to have your photo taken with him and post it to his Facebook page. A great addition to Bideford.

Harvey Room

5 years ago

This is the site where a statue of Tarka the Otter is situated. It was placed on the Quay by a number of agencies including B.O.B. or Businesses of Bideford. It is a bronze statue that sits on it's own platform next to the river Torridge.

james gardner

2 months ago

Sweet little statue

See All Reviews

Location

The address for Tarka Otter Statue we have is: The Quay, Bideford EX39 2AG, UK. Use the map below for a closer view. Do check with your host for a definite location.

Related Things to See & Do

Here are the related things to see and do Tarka Otter Statue which are also in and around Bideford.

Matt Ogborne

About the Author

Welcome to Bideford.com! I’m Matt, a seasoned explorer and avid fan of Bideford and the broader North Devon area. With over a decade of consistent family visits, virtually every weekend, I’ve immersed myself in the rich history and vibrant culture Bideford & North Devon.

On this site, you’ll find a wealth of knowledge amassed from my adventures here. From in-depth local guides to engaging blog posts about Bideford. Whether you’re looking for recommendations on things to do or guidance on where to stay we have you covered. Join me as we delve into the heart of Bideford, North Devon – a town that’s more than just a destination, but an experience waiting to be discovered.

Do you want to see your favourite Bideford attraction, place to stay, event or activity listed here? Contact Us!

We have done our best to ensure that the details about Tarka Otter Statue are correct at the time of publishing. But do be aware that things change over time and we’re also human. We do not provide all the content in our web listings. Much of it comes from third-parties. Consequently, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or misrepresentations in these listings. Please note that the information presented here is solely for informational purposes and does not constitute an endorsement by us.