A bridge to investigate

[ST-EOS]

I've driven past this bridge on many occasions, yet never stopped to photograph it. Earlier this week I stopped to make an image or two. I really need to investigate the history of the bridge as it doesn't seem to lead anywhere, these images were taken from the road which crosses the river by a ford rather than a bridge. I wouldn't like to try driving through the ford when there was six foot of water flowing across it

As always your C&C would be most welcome.

#1 Landscape with the current highway off to the right hand side.



#2 Landscape version



#3 The six foot ford

[Tigger]

Re: A bridge to investigate

what a great looking bridge and such a shame its so buried in trees. I do think you need to get in closer as with both images the bridge is a little lost not helped by the trees. Its a place I would return too maybe with a chainsaw as well in your bag ;o)

Of the two images I prefer the second but with a crop loosing a good 1/3 off the bottom to try and pull more attention into the bridge - plus it also makes quite a nice leading line into the photo

[tesarver]

Re: A bridge to investigate

Neat looking bridge. Wonder what it looks like looking up stream at it?

Tom

[MX5]

Re: A bridge to investigate

Quite an ornate bridge [so probably not an occupational bridge?] and virtually next to a ford. Was there (is there) an estate / hall / manor nearby? I sometimes come across 'bridges to nowhere' which had a previous 'private' life connected with big houses or religious places.

[ST-EOS]

Re: A bridge to investigate

Quite an ornate bridge [so probably not an occupational bridge?] and virtually next to a ford. Was there (is there) an estate / hall / manor nearby? I sometimes come across 'bridges to nowhere' which had a previous 'private' life connected with big houses or religious places.

I decided to have a bit of a Tinternet search about the area. There is a Hall in the village, which for a period of time was Westerdale Youth Hostel. The Hall is now a private dwelling. According to Wiki the bridge is named "Hunters Sty Bridge" which was built in medieval time; allegedly the Knights Templar may have had some involvement in its construction. The information on Wiki suggests that it was on the route between Baysdale Abbey and Guisborough Priory. But I think it is more likely to be a route between Whitby Abbey-Baysdale Abbey and on to Guisborough Priory etc. The bridge was restored in the late 19th century by a prominent local landowning family.

[ST-EOS]

A bridge to investigate

Neat looking bridge. Wonder what it looks like looking up stream at it?

Tom

Tom next time I pass by I shall have a look, from my internet search this evening it seems that there is a date stone (1874) on the downstream side.

Of the two images I prefer the second but with a crop loosing a good 1/3 off the bottom to try and pull more attention into the bridge - plus it also makes quite a nice leading line into the photo

Good call Ian I shall have a look at your crop suggestion

[ST-EOS]

Re: A bridge to investigate

For anyone interested here's a link to an engraving of how the bridge looked prior to its restoration

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bolckow/6213306083/

[MX5]

Re: A bridge to investigate

Fascinating - thanks for location (been looking at an OS map) - and also thanks for the above link. Always interested in things like this

[Tigger]

Re: A bridge to investigate

interesting digging back on its history

[Bill53]

Re: A bridge to investigate

Like you Peter I have passed this bridge many times and always thought, " I must stop and capture that some time". It's always as you turn the bend in the road you catch sight of it and you've passed the parking spot. Like both shots anyway, nicely done.

Bill.

[Nancy]

Re: A bridge to investigate

Interesting historical information of this picturesque bridge.
I especially like the second image: the only observation is that it seems inclined slightly to the left. In any case, a very nice shots.

[ST-EOS]

Re: A bridge to investigate

Thanks Nancy and Bill for taking time to look and comment, much appreciated.

@ Nancy I'm sure I corrected the orientation of images whilst I was processing them in Lightroom Nancy. But having read your comment I can see why you think they a sloping to the left. Next time I have the PC on I shall check them again.