The last part of last week's adventure lead us back to the River Trent and a wonderful piece of historical architecture. The Essex Bridge is a Grade One listed pack horse bridge which spans the River Trent at the village of Great Haywood in Staffordshire.
The bridge links the village with the nearby Shugborough Estate home of the late photographer Patrick Anson, 5th Earl of Lichfield. This estate is now owned by the National Trust and this year the trust are opening up the private apartments of the Earl of Lichfield - there is an interesting - blog - about the work being done.
The bridge was built during the reign of Elizabeth I by the then Earl of Essex so that the Queen could enjoy hunting in the woodlands surrounding the village when visiting the Shugborough estate.
The bridge originally had forty spans or arches; just fourteen of those survive today.
Just before we photographed the bridge there was a torrential downpour of rain but it soon cleared and the bridge became very busy with families passing backwards and forwards across it.
I remembered crossing this bridge from the Shugborough estate when we visited a few years ago and thought it would be a super bridge to photograph for this month's Scavenger Hunt but then, having found another unusual bridge, I decided that the Essex Bridge deserved a post of its own.
Great photos - what a lovely bridge. I was born in Stockport, where there's a huge viaduct.
ReplyDeleteA very impressive bridge!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I'd love to have seen when it had 40 arches! I've never heard of this bridge until now but we're planning a visit to Shugborough this year as it's been a long time since I last went so we must see the bridge ourselves when we go near!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing the other bridge you have found. I was hoping to get out in the Peak District, maybe photograph the bridge at Milldale or a lovely wooden one (I love bridges!) but with the weather and too much time in Wolves due to the cost of petrol, I haven't been able to :(
Its lovely and I remember crossing this when we visited the Shugborough estate (briefley) a couple of years ago. I want to come back to Shugborough as I want to do the "Downstairs" bit. The private apartments would be interesting too! xx
ReplyDeletewhat gorgeous shots! that bridge, there's nothing like that around here!! I have so much missed traveling around vicariously thru your camera!!
ReplyDeleteLovely old bridge - Essex was one of Queen Elizabeth's favourites wasn't he? I've never been to Shugborough, another one for the list!
ReplyDeleteGiven the places that you've lived in the past I'm sure you remember Swarkestone Causeway. It's not far from me and I love driving across it (though not when the bus is coming the other way!)
ReplyDeleteI went to Shugborough Hall with a class of Y5 children in 209. It was a good day! Unfortunately, we didn't see the bridge.
ReplyDeleteOh to be in England! Lovely photos Rosie. Thanks for sharing your visit.
ReplyDeleteMarie x
Hi Rosie, thanks for finding me over at Oh Bobbins. That must have been some bridge when it was first built. I had forgotten that Patrick Litchfield had died, he never seemed to age did he?
ReplyDeleteYes I had a bit of a week, but thankfully everything seems fine now.
Rosie x
Lovely photos Rosie and I enjoyed reading about your visit.
ReplyDeleteLooks very old (and is, after I read your text!). Many old structures are narrower than the present ones - makes one wonder if the people were then more slender, or they were just used to less space:)
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