Stainforth Bridge

Stainforth Bridge, (also known as Stainforth packhorse bridge and Knight Stainforth bridge) is a 17th century, arched packhorse bridge over the River Ribble in Stainforth, North Yorkshire, England. The bridge was formerly on the main packhorse road between York and Lancaster, which has been superseded by later roads. It was in private ownership until the 1930s, when it was taken on by the National Trust. It is now a grade II listed structure and provides access to Stainforth Force, which is just below the bridge.

Stainforth Bridge
A single-span arched stone bridge over a watercourse
Stainforth Bridge
Coordinates54.100°N 2.280°W / 54.100; -2.280
OS grid referenceSD818672
CrossesRiver Ribble
LocaleStainforth, North Yorkshire, England
Other name(s)Stainforth Packhorse Bridge
Knight Stainforth Bridge
Characteristics
Total length57 feet (17.4 m)
Width7 feet 2 inches (2.18 m)[note 1]
Height5.3 metres (17 ft)[note 2]
No. of spans1
History
Openedc. 1675
Location

History

The bridge was built by Samuel Watson c. 1675,[note 3] a local Quaker who owned Knight Stainforth Hall, a Jacobean house which was nearby.[4][5][6] Previous to this, the site was a ford which was impassable during times of flood, and a local legend suggests that the crossing was used by the Romans.[7][8] The bridge carries a minor road, Dog Hill Brow, over the river connecting Knight and Little Stainforth.[9] Besides being a Medieval road linking York and Lancaster, and a monastic route taken by monks between their houses in Yorkshire and the Lake District, the route was also a packhorse road connecting Clapham with Malham.[10][11] A covenant was drawn up in the year of the bridge's building stating that people on foot, or with carts and cattle, had "free passage between the towns of Knight Stainforth and Stainforth Under Bargh."[12] The bridge was built by using tradesmen from Stainforth-under-Bargh (now the main village of Stainforth), and in return, the people of Stainforth were afforded full usage rights, as the bridge was also a necessity locally.[13]

Both of the bridge abutments are set into solid rock and the bridge itself is 17.4 metres (57 ft) long and 5.3 metres (17 ft) at its highest point above the normal water level.[14] At its widest point, it reaches 7 feet 2 inches (2.18 m).[15] The limestone that the bridge is built on, is part of the Kilnsey Limestone, which is younger than the Chapel House limestone underneath Stainforth Force, which is only 100 yards (91 m) below the bridge.[16][17]

On 23 September 1931, the bridge went from private ownership into the National Trust, helped by an endowment by the previous owners. Doubts had been expressed about the structure after heavy motor vehicles had been using it, causing the bridge to be weakened.[18] It was thought that the National Trust could enforce restrictions on heavy goods vehicles more effectively than private owners.[8]

The bridge was registered in 1988 by Historic England as a Grade II listed structure under the name of Knight Stainforth Bridge.[19]

Notes
  1. At its widest point
  2. The height is measured from the centre of the arch above normal water level.
  3. Various dates have been given for the building of the bridge; 1670, 1675, late 17th century.[1] The hall was built in 1670 and the bridge a few years afterwards, so the dates have been confused.[2][3]

References
  1. Wright, Geoffrey N. (1986). The Yorkshire Dales. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. p. 191. ISBN 0715387022.
  2. Wright 1985, p. 97.
  3. Reid, Mark (6 October 2006). "Settle to Giggleswick". infoweb.newsbank.com. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  4. Scholes, Ron (2006). Yorkshire Dales (3 ed.). Ashbourne: Landmark. p. 66. ISBN 1843062097.
  5. Moore, Lindsey (1 June 2016). "Damaged 17th century bridge is closed to traffic". Craven Herald. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  6. Speakman, Colin (1982). Walking in the Yorkshire Dales. London: R. Hale. p. 88. ISBN 0709196172.
  7. Mitchell, W. R. (1999). The story of the Yorkshire Dales. Chichester: Phillimore. p. 71. ISBN 1860770886.
  8. Dawson, Geoffrey, ed. (24 September 1931). "A Yorkshire bridge". The Times. No. 45936. p. 9. ISSN 0140-0460.
  9. Quantrill, Tim (10 October 2014). "A walk in spectacular scenery". Craven Herald. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  10. Wright 1985, p. 107.
  11. Hartley 1991, p. 117.
  12. Asher, Jean. "Samuel Watson (c1618-1708)of Knight Stainforth Hall,Quaker". www.northcravenheritage.org.uk. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  13. Hartley 1991, p. 92.
  14. "Stainforth Packhorse Bridge". engineering-timelines.com. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  15. Rennison, R. W., ed. (1996). Civil engineering heritage: Northern England (2 ed.). London: Thomas Telford. p. 158. ISBN 07277-2518-1.
  16. Speight, Harry (1892). Craven and the north west yorkshire highlands. London: Elliot Stock. p. 134. OCLC 650329471.
  17. "Stories in Stone; Settle and Stainforth" (PDF). storiesinstone.org.uk. p. 1. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  18. Dawson, Geoffrey, ed. (23 September 1931). "A Yorkshire bridge". The Times. No. 45935. p. 15. ISSN 0140-0460.
  19. Historic England. "Knight Stainforth Bridge (Grade II) (1166894)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 February 2022.

Sources
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Knight Stainforth Bridge.
  • Hartley, Marie (1991). The Yorkshire Dales. Otley: Smith Settle. ISBN 1870071727.
  • Wright, Geoffrey Norman (1985). Roads and trackways of the Yorkshire Dales. Ashbourne: Moorland. ISBN 0861901231.
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