Packhorse Bridges

Packhorse bridges were built so that horses and ponies carrying loads could cross rivers and streams.  Most were built before c1800 and are just wide enough for one laden horse to pass over them.  Many of them were originally cobbled and they often have low parapets, so that they didn't interfere with the panniers carried by the horses.  Somerset has about 30 surviving examples, many of them on Exmoor because the bulk of goods were carried by packhorses in upland areas.

Gallox Bridge, Dunster - over the River Avill

This bridge possibly dates back to the 15th century

Allerford - over the River Aller

Allerford's medieval packhorse bridge

Hacketty Bridge, Horner - over the Horner Water

This bridge possibly dates back to the late medieval period

Hacketty Way Bridge, Horner

West Luccombe - over the Horner Water

This bridge was built in the late medieval period

West Luccombe

Ramshorn Bridge, Taunton

The Galmington Stream has been diverted and no longer flows under this bridge.

Bow Bridge, Bruton - over the River Brue

Bow Bridge, Bruton

Kentsford Farm, Watchet - over the Washford River

Robber's Bridge - over the Weir Water

Bury Bridge - over the River Haddeo

Bury Bridge

Bury Bridge and Ford

Medieval four-arched bridge

Malmsmead Packhorse Bridge and Ford over the Badgworthy Water

This bridge was built in the 17th century

Smithy Bridge, Winsford - over the Winn Brook

This single arch packhorse bridge dates back to the medieval period and was restored in 1952.

Packhorse bridge next to Vicarage Bridge, Winsford

This two-arched bridge is probably medieval in origin.  It was rebuilt in 1952 following flood damage.

Packhorse bridge next to Vicarage Bridge, Winsford

Edbrooke Packhorse Bridge over the River Exe near Winsford

This bridge is probably medieval in origin but was rebuilt in the 18th century.  The road to Winsford passed over the bridge until the new turnpike road was cut in 1824

Edbrooke Bridge

 Packhorse bridge at Marsh Bridge Cross

This packhorse bridge was built sometime before 1838.

Marshbridge Cross Packhorse Bridge

Cannington Packhorse Bridge over the Cannington Brook

Cannington Packhorse Bridge

Wellow Packhorse Bridge

This was built across the Wellow Brook in the late medieval period but has been restored and altered since then.

Bolter's Bridge

Bolter's Bridge

Bolter's Bridge, which spans the River Alham, is located half a mile south east of the hamlet of Hornblotton.  It is on the border between the parishes of Ditcheat and West Bradley.  It was reputedly built in the medieval period by the Abbots of Glastonbury to join two parts of the moor and to make a road from Castle Cary to Glastonbury.  It has 4 arches and no parapets.

Grid reference: ST 606 334.

Dowlish Wake

This packhorse bridge was built in the 17th or 18th century using the local Moolham stone from an earlier (14th or 15th century) bridge.  The arches on the right and left hand sides were inserted in 1997, as part of a flood relief scheme.