The age of Northbeck Packhorse Bridge at Scredington is disputed, there are no records of when it was built. It has been suggested that it was built for Gilbertine monks to travel between Sempringham and Haverholme in c1250, but it is also claimed that it may date from the 15th or even as late as the 17th century due to the style of the arches. I can reveal it was originally a timber bridge dating from the early 11th century, and rebuilt in stone in the mid-18th century.
The bridge is now about 3 metres wide which indicates it was built to carry horse and carts, a packhorse bridge is usually the width of a horse. Packhorses were superseded by horse and carts in the 16th and 17th centuries.
See also:
West Rasen and the Packhorse Bridge
The bridge is now about 3 metres wide which indicates it was built to carry horse and carts, a packhorse bridge is usually the width of a horse. Packhorses were superseded by horse and carts in the 16th and 17th centuries.