Sheepwash
Sheepwash Bridge
Last Updated:
15 Jan 2025
Sheepwash
This is a
Bridge
55.166098, -1.599483
Founded in
Current status is
Extant
Designer (if known):
Still operating
Ths little hamlet is divided by the river, and has featured a bridge here ever since the medieval age.
A stone arch bridge stood here since the late 18th century as seen on the 3rd shot below, and was composed of 4 arches with what appears to be a few refuges on each side to allow passing traffic. By the 1890s it had some serious weaknesses. In 1895 it split along the north end, and two arches fell into the river. It was supposed that the cause of the collapse was due to a pitfall, as coal was being extracted directly underneath the river. The collapse led to a significant diversion for the heaviest traffic via Morpeth, as even Bothal Bridge was closed to weighty loads. Pitmen had to be conveyed by boat to reach the pit.
It was not popular, and was inconvenient for the amount of traffic that crossed it by the end of the 19th century. There was even a temporary wooden bridge after the 1895 incident, but this buckled in 1898 after a serious rise in water. A more permanent solution was required.
Todays bridge was constructed at the turn of the century, and is composed of beams and lattice girders with 2 stone piers. It was built by William Lant and much of the costs were donated by local landowners and the gentry who sought a solution themselves.
The footbridge adjacent utilises part of the old bridge as for its central pier also.
Listing Description (if available)
Both maps shown here depict Sheepwash from the 1850s through to the 1890s. The village very seldom changed, and it was the old stone bridge which stood here until just after the 1890s version. Sheepwash at this time featured the St Andrews rectory, Sheepwash farm (where presumably the village gets its name, and in turn after the actual sheep wash on the river), the mill which became the pumping station and Cleaswellhill Farm. The latter no longer exists.
The new Sheepwash Bridge was in place by the time of this survey which took place in the 1910s. As you'll see, there's quite literally no change at all, though the Anglers Arms had extended at this stage on the lane to Guide Post.
Sheepwash Bridge ane the footbridge just behind in December 2024.
Photograph of the 18th century stone arch bridge which stood here until ruined in the 1890s. Original source unknown.
A mid 20th century postcard of Sheepwash Bridge. Original source unknown.