Pictures of Packhorse Bridges
Many small bridges are known as packhorse bridges, but a true packhorse bridge is specifically a narrow bridge less that 1.8m / 6ft wide with either no or low parapets, less than 6 feet (1.8 m) in width; built before 1800 and on a recognised packhorse route.
High Beckfoot Bridge, Barbon, Cumbria.
A tiny 17th century pack-horse bridge built by John Hardy of Beckfoot Farm at a cost of 22s 4d. The roadway is just a metre in width.
Bow Bridge, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria.
This narrow 15th century bridge spanning Mill Beck carried an old packhorse route to nearby Furness Abbey.
Eskdale Corn Mill at Boot in Eskdale, the Lake District, Cumbria.
Records show a working mill at this site on the banks of Whillan Beck from 1294, and the central structure of the present mill is thought to date back to around 1547. It is the last working water mill in the Lake District, and one of the oldest in England.
The bridge was an 18th century packhorse bridge, later widened for road traffic.
A tiny old packhorse bridge spanning the River Keer at Capernwray, Lancashire.
The bridge has no parapets to allow passage of the pack animals with their panniers slung to either side.
Monks' Bridge on Cold Fell near Calder Bridge in West Cumbria.
A single span packhorse bridge over the River Calder situated above a deep, rocky gorge. Although traditionally thought to be a medieval structure associated with Calder Abbey some 4 km downstream, Monk's Bridge is now believed to have been either constructed or rebuilt in the 17th or 18th centuries. Also known as Matty Benn's Bridge after Martha Benn of Wilton who regularly crossed the bridge in a state of inebriation as she travelled on horseback to and from the Gosforth market at Boonwood.
Dent Head Viaduct towering above Fell End Gill Waterfalls in Dentdale, the Yorkshire Dales, Cumbria.
Dent Head Viaduct on the Carlisle to Settle Line was built between 1870 and 1875. It is 183 metres lond and consists of 10 arches.
The small C18 packhorse bridge can just be seen behind the viaduct.
Fell End Gill Waterfalls below the Dent Head Viaduct in Dentdale in the Yorkshire Dales, Cumbria.
The small C18 packhorse bridge can be seen behind the viaduct.
18th century packhorse bridge spanning Fell End Gill in the shadow of the Dent Head Viaduct in Dentdale, Yorkshire Dales, Cumbria.
Holme Bridge near Drigg in West Cumbria.
Holme Bridge is a 17th/18th century packhorse bridge over the River Irt near Drigg.
Doctor Bridge spanning the River Esk at Boot in Eskdale, the Lake District, Cumbria.
Originally a 17th century packhorse bridge which was widened in 1734 for a local doctor (the join line can be seen on the far side of the bridge).
Doctor Bridge spanning the River Esk at Boot in Eskdale, the Lake District, Cumbria.
Originally a 17th century packhorse bridge which was widened in 1734 for a local doctor
Beggar's Bridge, spanning the River Esk at Glaisdale in the North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire.
This lovely old packhorse bridge was built by Thomas Ferris in 1619. Ferris was a poor man who hoped to wed the daughter of a wealthy local squire. In order to win her hand, Thomas planned to set sail from Whitby to make his fortune in the Caribbean. On the night that he left, the Esk was in flood and he was unable to make a last visit to his intended. He eventually returned from his travels a rich man, becoming Sheriff of Hull in 1614 and Mayor in 1620. After marrying the squire's daughter, Thomas built Beggar's Bridge so that no other lovers would be separated by the river ever again.
Beggar's Bridge is thought to include stonework from a 14th century bridge that had collapsed by 1577.
The road bridge carrying Carr Lane can be seen in the distance.
Beggar's Bridge, spanning the River Esk at Glaisdale in the North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire, England, UK.
This lovely old packhorse bridge was built by Thomas Ferris in 1619. Ferris was a poor man who hoped to wed the daughter of a wealthy local squire. In order to win her hand, Thomas planned to set sail from Whitby to make his fortune in the Caribbean. On the night that he left, the Esk was in flood and he was unable to make a last visit to his intended. He eventually returned from his travels a rich man, becoming Sheriff of Hull in 1614 and Mayor in 1620. After marrying the squire's daughter, Thomas built Beggar's Bridge so that no other lovers would be separated by the river ever again. Beggar's Bridge is thought to include stonework
from a 14th century bridge that had collapsed by 1577.
Beggar's Bridge, spanning the River Esk at Glaisdale in the North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire.
This lovely old packhorse bridge was built by Thomas Ferris in 1619. Ferris was a poor man who hoped to wed the daughter of a wealthy local squire. In order to win her hand, Thomas planned to set sail from Whitby to make his fortune in the Caribbean. On the night that he left, the Esk was in flood and he was unable to make a last visit to his intended. He eventually returned from his travels a rich man, becoming Sheriff of Hull in 1614 and Mayor in 1620. After marrying the squire's daughter, Thomas built Beggar's Bridge so that no other lovers would be separated by the river ever again.
Beggar's Bridge is thought to include stonework from a 14th century bridge that had collapsed by 1577.
Ivelet Bridge, Ivelet in the parish of Muker, Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales.
A picturesque late 16th century packhorse bridge spanning the River Swale.
Ivelet Bridge, Ivelet in the parish of Muker, Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales.
A picturesque late 16th century packhorse bridge spanning the River Swale.
Slater Bridge spanning the River Brathay in Little Langdale, the Lake District, Cumbria.
A 17th century two section packhorse bridge connecting the hamlet of Little Langdale with the Tilberthwaite slate quarries.
Barugh Bridge, a 17/18th century packhorse bridge spanning Rais Beck at Raisbeck in the Westmorland Dales of Cumbria.
The ford and 18th century bridge spanning Whitsundale Beck in the picturesque hamlet of Ravenseat in Whitsun Dale at the head of Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, North Yorkshire.
Thorns Gill Packhorse Bridge spanning Gayle Beck near Ribblehead in the Yorkshire Dales.
This wonderful 16th/17th century packhorse bridge is believed to have provided access from the Settle - Horton - Askrigg drovers' route to a corn and oatmeal market held at nearby Gearstones.
This 17th century narrow packhorse bridge built over Swindale Beck carries a track from Rosgill to Rayside in Cumbria.
This 17th century narrow packhorse bridge built over Swindale Beck carries a track from Rosgill to Rayside in Cumbria.
New Bridge over the River Derwent at Rosthwaite in Borrowdale, the Lake District, Cumbria.
This old stone packhorse bridge was repaired following the floods of December 2015.
High Sweden Bridge spanning Scandale Beck in the Lake District: A quaint 17th century packhorse bridge without parapets.
A walker crossing the snow-covered High Sweden Bridge (a 17th century packhorse bridge spanning Scandale Beck near Ambleside).
Herdwick sheep beside Stockley Bridge, an early 18th century packhorse bridge spanning Grains Gill at the southerly head of Borrowdale, Seathwaite in the Lake District, Cumbria.
Stockley Bridge, an early 18th century packhorse bridge spanning Grains Gill at Seathwaite in the Lake District, Cumbria.
Shapbeck Bridge spanning Shap Beck, Shap in the Eden District of Cumbria.
An old narrow packhorse bridge, later widened for agricultural use.
C18 packhorse bridge over Scandal Beck on a drovers' route so popular that an inn was built here, 'The Scotch Alehouse'.
C18 packhorse bridge over Scandal Beck on a drovers' route so popular that an inn was built here, 'The Scotch Alehouse'.
C18 packhorse bridge over Scandal Beck, Cumbria.
This drover's route was so popular an inn was built here, 'The Scotch Alehouse'.
Stainforth Bridge and Stainforth Force in the Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire.
Stainforth Bridge spanning the River Ribble at Stainforth is a lovely old packhorse bridge, built in the 1670s to replace a ford. The bridge has been owned by the National Trust since the 1930s. This was a favourite spot of Sir Edward Elgar and he is said to have had a picture of it in his home.
Packhorse Bridge over Stainton Beck in the village of Stainton, South Cumbria.
Probably 17Th century. 'Limestone rubble with roughly cut parapets and voussoirs. Single segmental arch, low parapets rising to peak at centre of bridge. Approx. 3' wide between parapets.' Historic England
Pack Horse Bridge over Stainton Beck in the village of Stainton, South Cumbria.
Probably 17Th century. 'Limestone rubble with roughly cut parapets and voussoirs. Single segmental arch, low parapets rising to peak at centre of bridge. Approx. 3' wide between parapets.' Historic England
Packhorse Bridge over Stainton Beck in the village of Stainton, South Cumbria.
Probably 17Th century. 'Limestone rubble with roughly cut parapets and voussoirs. Single segmental arch, low parapets rising to peak at centre of bridge. Approx. 3' wide between parapets.' Historic England
Row Bridge, an 18th century packhorse bridge spanning Mosedale Beck at Wasdale Head in the Lake District, Cumbria.
Great Gable can be seen behind the gorse bushes.
Watendlath Bridge, Watendlath in the Lake District, Cumbria.
This 18th century packhorse bridge was on the main droving route from Keswick to Ambleside. After Watendlath, the horses would have carried their loads over Ambroth Fell, then made their way via Dunmail Raise to Grasmere and Ambleside.
Ashness Bridge, Keswick in the Lake District, Cumbria.
This 18th century packhorse bridge over Barrow Beck carries the old drover’s road to Watendlath. It is one of Lakeland’s most photographed beauty spots.
Ashness Bridge, Keswick in the Lake District, Cumbria.
This 18th century packhorse bridge over Barrow Beck carries the old drover’s road to Watendlath. It is one of Lakeland’s most photographed beauty spots.
Ashness Bridge, Keswick in the Lake District, Cumbria.
This 18th century packhorse bridge over Barrow Beck carries the old drover’s road to Watendlath. It is one of Lakeland’s most photographed beauty spots.
Packhorse bridge over Sleddale Beck in Wet Sleddale near Shap in Cumbria.
The 17th century packhorse bridge spanning Sleddale Beck that featured in the 1986 cult comedy film, 'Withnail and I'. This was the scene where Withnail fishes with a shotgun.
The old bridge was dismantled for the building of the reservoir, and re-erected with added parapets.
Packhorse bridge over Sleddale Beck in Wet Sleddale near Shap in Cumbria.
The 17th century packhorse bridge spanning Sleddale Beck that featured in the 1986 cult comedy film, 'Withnail and I'. This was the scene where Withnail fishes with a shotgun.
The old bridge was dismantled for the building of the reservoir, and re-erected with added parapets.