15/08/2025
Curious constructions, legends and quirky features on bridges: here are some of our favourites:
-- Ulshaw Bridge, East Witton – the timekeeping bridge --
As you cross over the River Ure using Ulshaw Bridge, which dates back to 1674, you’ll notice an octagonal stone plinth in the centre, in one of the triangular recesses. At first site it looks more like a font but it’s actually a sundial. Its face is now missing but presumably it would have acted as a timekeeper for travellers as they ventured over the bridge.
-- Kilgram Bridge, Wensleydale – a bridge built by the devil --
While Kilgram Bridge was more likely to have been built by the Cistercian Monks from nearby Jervaulx Abbey, folk lore has a very different version involving the devil. The ‘Satanic Majesty’ promised to build the bridge to withstand natural forces such as floods which had wiped out other bridges. There was one condition though: “the first living creature to cross the bridge would be a sacrifice to the devil”. A shepherd swam across to the far side of the River Ure but alas his faithful dog Grim unwittingly bounded across the bridge but fell. The bridge became known as Kill Grim.
-- Beggar’s Bridge, Egton – the lover’s bridge --
This lovely single-arch packhorse bridge over the River Esk in the North York Moors National Park was built in 1619 by Tom Ferris, a wealthy merchant who became Sheriff of Hull in 1614 and Mayor in 1620.
Legend has it that he was originally the son of a poor Egton farmer and loved Agnes Richardson, daughter of a squire across the River Esk in Glaisdale. Ferris was rejected as a suitor and denounced as a beggar by the squire. He thus resolved to go to sea to seek his fortune, but was prevented from saying good-bye to Agnes by floods making the river impassable. After making his fortune in the Caribbean, Ferris returned to marry Agnes and built a bridge to help future lovers.
-- The bridge at Thornthwaite, Nidderdale – a packhorse bridge -
This beautiful, tiny packhorse bridge lies quietly in retirement along a lane near Thornthwaite but in Medieval times it would have played a hugely important role on the trading route connecting Bolton Abbey and Fountains Abbey.
Packhorse trains made up of up to 25 Jagger breed of ponies, from which the Cumbrian Fell and Dales pony breeds are said to be derived from, would have hauled everything from salt and lead ingots to coal and cloth.
-- The suspension bridge at Hebden – for being wobbly --
This narrow suspension bridge across the river Wharfe was created in 1884 to connect Hebden with the hamlet of Thorpe, after a local man drowned trying to cross the stepping stones. It was designed and built by the village blacksmith using over 250 metres of old steel rope, bought from a mining company.
