I had a short walk along the River Wharfe in Ilkley. There are three bridges within about half a mile of each other. The old packhorse bridge (above), dating from 1675, is now pedestrian only, being very narrow. It has high arches and large buttresses. The river was very low when I was there but I imagine in flood it can roar down with a lot of force so the builders were obviously playing it safe with a sturdy construction.
Looking down on the buttresses they look like rock gardens, covered in mosses and wild flowers.
The Three Bridges walk takes you on scenic paths through Ilkley's riverside gardens. There were numerous blossom trees brightening the view. The central bridge is a road bridge (not special enough to tempt me to a photo!), cutting across the river in the middle of Ilkley.
when the weather is warmer, I can see lots of kiddies enjoying that beach area...and I'm glad to hear the water is tested. That first bridge is a beautiful piece of engineering!
ReplyDeleteThat the beautiful packhorse bridge is still proudly standing after 350 years over the surging, flooding River Wharfe is a terrific compliment to the designer and stone masons who built it. Ideally storm drains should never go near a modern sewage plant. I suppose, like so much else in Yorkshire, that it was built by our Victorian ancestors and never replaced. And now, without EU pressure it probably never will be.
ReplyDeleteThe bridge walk was very mice, Jenny, and seeing those wildflowers growing on the abutments was lovely. We recently walked across a suspension bridge in Milford, NH, which is reportedly the last of its type here in the state.
ReplyDeleteI love that 1st bridge!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots!
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