Archaeology - Talks - Walks - Cultural heritage Vernacular buildings - Historic documents

History of Bridges in Upper Wharfedale

 

There have been major bridges across the Wharfe since, at least, medieval times, Kettlewell being the earliest reported bridge from the 1190s. Bolton Bridge is reported to have been built by Bolton Priory in 1314, but this might be a re-construction of an earlier bridge. Fountains Abbey was a major influence on trackways and bridges in Wharfedale, which was a significant element of it’s sheep farming endeavours.

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Most, if not all, of the major bridges in Upper Wharfedale were of stone construction, which was the most commonly available commodity. Bridges, and sometimes whole villages, were affected by floods, every major, and probably most minor bridges have had major repairs or having to be re-built. People were involved in bridges and saw them as a community benefit. People rich and poor left money in their wills for the repair of bridges. But the history of the bridges is integral to the history of the roads, trackways and footpaths of Upper Wharfedale and the surrounding countryside

 

The information gathered from books, archives and charters, together with that already researched by local groups will be published  in the not-too-distant future, and we want to include information from a wide variety of sources. If you believe you have any information that would add to this history, then please contact us.