Cross That Bridge

Why do we say, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it"?

With over 50 dales, and at least that number of rivers and streams, there are plenty of bridges and river-crossings in the Yorkshire Dales. ​Some are not just useful, they're beautiful and historic. Many settlements grew up close to rivers, with important bridges or other crossings nearby.

The expression 'we'll cross that bridge when we come to it' probably came from the fact that rivers can be dangerous and changeable so crossings were not always in the state you'd hope for when travellers reached them. There was no point in worrying about their state until you got closer and could see how it was.

There are essentially three different kinds of river crossing still in existence (apart from boats...): stepping stones, fords and bridges.

The stepping stones at Bolton Abbey are probably the most famous, but you'll find many others through out the Dales, some half-hidden by the flow of the river. ​They would have been a hazardous and unreliable way to cross, often only passable with a wooden staff to keep one's balance.

Fords could only be built where rivers ran quite slowly and were shallow. ​You'll notice some over streams which were paved for more frequent use, often leading to a house or settlement.

After the Romans, one of the most common reasons for travelling around the Yorkshire Dales was to trade wool or sheep, something at which the landowning monks were adept. They're likely to have built some of the earliest bridges. ​

​You can see clapper bridges in Austwick, Malham and Linton. They were mostly built for the convenience of locals across narrow and shallow rivers or streams.

Over time some packhorse bridges have been altered to make them safer but you can still find some in their original condition, either without any sides or with low ones so packhorses carrying panniers laden with goods could easily pass.

Some bridges were initially built using timber but were replaced with stone when the wood rotted. In the 18th century the Turnpike Trusts were given the power to collect tolls making it worthwhile to improve roads and bridges, making them better and broader.

Bridges were essential to travellers but not everyone wanted to pay for their upkeep. If you look at 19th century bridges you may notice small initialled markers at the side of the bridge, such as the one inscribed WR at the end of Grassington Bridge, showing that West Riding County Council had liability for its upkeep.

​You might associate suspension bridges with Hull or other bigger cities but we have at least two in the Dales, one in Reeth, known as the Swing Bridge and the other across the river Wharfe near Linton.

​The suspension bridge across the river Wharfe was created after a local man drowned trying to cross the stepping stones. It was designed and built by the village blacksmith using over 250 metres of old steel rope, bought from a mining company.