 In ancient records Bideford is recorded as "Bedeford", "Byddyfrod", "Bedyford", "Bydeford", "Bytheford" and "Biddeford".The etymology of the name means "by the ford", and records show that before there was a bridge there was a ford at Bideford where River Torridge is estuarine, and at low tide it is possible, but not advisable, to cross the river by wading on foot.The Welsh means "this is the way" or "this is the road".