Name: Bow Bridge
Rating: 5.0

Bow Bridge

Barrow-in-Furness LA13 0PL, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

Bow Bridge situated near Furness Abbey, Bow Bridge provides a convenient point at which to cross Mill Beck beside the sluice of a former mill race. This narrow 15th century stone bridge across Mill Beck carried an old packhorse route to nearby Furness Abbey. During the medieval period, the traffic to and from the abbey must have been fast and furious, with the bridge carrying a steady stream of pedestrians and packhorses laden with corn, malt, salt and other goods.

Bow Bridge carried a packhorse route to nearby Furness Abbey, and there is still a pleasant walk between the two. If you are looking for a longer walk to explore the area, both Bow Bridge and Furness Abbey are points on two circular walks - one three miles long and the other seven miles long.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Bow Bridge situated near Furness Abbey, Bow Bridge provides a convenient point at which to cross Mill Beck beside the sluice of a former mill race. Although not breathtaking in scale (being just 10 feet [3 metres] wide), Bow is still a fine example of a three-arched medieval bridge.
The stone parapets that probably ran along either side of the central footpath and gave the structure extra strength have now disappeared.
Bow Bridge was built in the 15th century from the same plentiful supply of red sandstone and grey limestone as Furness Abbey, which dates back to the 1120s.
In its heyday Furness was the most powerful abbey in the North West and, at the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1530s, the second richest Cistercian monastery in England. The surviving richly embellished arcades and the magnificently carved details bear witness to its wealth and importance.
Such a prosperous abbey cannot fail to have attracted merchants, traders and salesmen, as well as Scottish raiders.
During the medieval period, the traffic to and from Furness must have been fast and furious, with Bow Bridge carrying a steady stream of pedestrians and pack-horses laden with corn, malt, salt and other goods.
The bridge may have been constructed specifically to link the abbey with the nearby New Mill, but its position on one of the most important medieval trading routes in north-west England must surely be of even greater significance.

Facilities

Food & Drinks: Furness Abbey has a shop selling drinks and snacks.
Toilets: Furness Abbey has toilet facilities.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/bow-bridge/opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: Barrow-in-Furness LA13 0PL, UK

Post Code: LA13 0PL

Council: Westmorland and Furn

County: Cumbria

Road Access: Located 1⁄2 mile N of Barrow-in-Furness, on minor road off A590; near Furness Abbey.
Bus Access: Stagecoach in Cumbria service 6 & X6 to within 3⁄4 mile.
Train Access: Barrow-in-Furness 1 1⁄2 miles.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.