SLHS Clopton Bridge
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Further Information..
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Brief History: A Bridge To History -Guild Chapel
At Bridgefoot carrying A3400 across River Avon
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Last update: 23/11/2024
Created: 07/09/2023
History
The original deep ford at this location gave rise to Stratford’s name. Since the 1200‘s a rather make-shift timber bridge was used because the Avon was swift and deep in winter. Dangerous at the best of times this kept on being washed away or at least needing serious repair. No engravings of this are known but below are shown various attempts to cross rivers using wooden construction techniques.
Clopton Bridge Engraving 1795
Clopton Bridge & Trading Ship Possibly by EGrubb 1750
Construction
Between 1484-6 Hugh Clopton had a huge stone bridge built wide enough for two-way traffic. It was built upon the hard rock that for millennia the river was unable to wash away and had provided the walkway for brave men and women to cross. When the sluice at Lucy’s mill is left wide open, and the river drained it is still occasionally visible.
It was widened in 1811
There was a brief time in 1814 that Thomas Keen tried to charge tolls for its use (see shortcut above).
and iron foot bridge added in 1827.