Erme is a new public and digital artwork by Close and Remote, specially commissioned for the Rivers and Moorlands Festival in 2026. Tracing the journey of the River Erme from its source high on Dartmoor to its estuary at Mothecombe, the work brings the river’s story vividly to life.

Installed on the footbridge at Glanvilles Mills Shopping Centre in the heart of Ivybridge, the piece reflects the river’s dramatic descent from moorland heights to sea level. Along the bridge, key locations – including Erme Head, Ivybridge and Mothecombe beach – are highlighted, inviting visitors to discover the river’s landscapes, communities and ecologies.

Using mobile devices, audiences can explore these points in greater depth, creating an interactive experience that connects people more closely with the River Erme and its rich environment.

Click on the image on the left (or above if you’re on your phone) to go to the Erme web app. No app download needed, it just pops into your browser. 

Explore the River Erme through a series of five walks featured in the web app. Walk two (Longtimber Woods) and Walk three (Ivybridge) include narration by Victor Abbott (Walk three) and Danielle Semple from the Woodland Trust for Walk two.