At the Roman invasion of AD43, at Thornborough on the banks of the river a battle is said to have taken place between the ancient Britons and the Romans. Yet such resistance proved of no avail, and eventually as a local progression from the ford of Roman times a bridge was built to span the river. However, as the only example of this class in the county that which remains today is a legacy from the 14th century, and – as evidenced by the numerous scrapes and gouges, along the length of the inner parapets – continued in daily use until the 1970s, when a parallel counterpart was constructed. Not surprisingly, the old bridge needed a great deal of alteration and restoration throughout the ages, and in fact the more recent repairs are easily discerned by not only the lighter coloured blocks of stone, but also the occasional sections of a merged in brickwork. As for less recent restorations, these are recalled on the north side by a weathered stone plaque which, flanked by stone shields, carries the wording;
‘This bridge was repaired at the charge of the county ano dominy 166? According to a sessions order. Sir Richard Temple Sr Toby Turel Barronets and Thomas Stafford Esquir being appoynted to take order for the doing of the same and William Woollhe? Of Thornborow yeaman was ?? of the said work. Thomas ?? the saye.’
Twelve feet in width the ancient bridge has six low arches, the two outermost of which are probably an addition of later times, constructed to ease the build up of rising waters during times of flood. The four moulded central examples are more ornate, with ribs reinforcing the two innermost. When crossing the bridge, on the south side pedestrians could shelter from the hazards of oncoming traffic in three refuges, whilst a recess on the north allowed a small cart to pull in, should two wagons happen to meet. Today, not only is the ancient bridge redundant but also the two adjoining lengths of the old roadway, albeit with the pleasing result that these thereby create a lay by of rural tranquillity, far removed from the thundering traffic of bygone years.