The River Torridge is a river in Devon in England. The River Torridge rises near Meddon. The river describes a long loop through Devon farming country where its tributaries the Lew and Okement join before meeting the Taw at Appledore and flowing into the Bristol Channel. The river is spate dependent and often flows between wooded banks which can be steep. After heavy rain the water can be coloured. It was the home of Tarka the Otter in Henry Williamson's book. The Torridge local government district is named after the river.