Bow Bridge, Cumbria, Medieval road bridge in Barrow-in-Furness, United Kingdom
Bow Bridge is a stone bridge in Barrow-in-Furness that crosses Mill Beck with three arches, each spanning about 2 meters (7 feet) and built from local red sandstone. The structure extends around 13 meters (43 feet) in total length.
The bridge was built between 1490 and 1500 by monks from Furness Abbey to provide access to their New Mill. After the monastery was dissolved, the structure remained unchanged.
A stone on the bridge displays a mason's mark from the 14th century, showing that materials from earlier religious buildings in the region were reused here. This craftsman left his mark as a sign of his work.
A public footpath connects the bridge to Furness Abbey, making it easy to reach from that location. Limited parking is available nearby, so plan to arrive with flexible expectations.
The bridge is one of the few surviving late medieval multi-span structures in Cumbria that has kept its original architectural features intact. Its durability over centuries makes it a quiet testament to medieval craftsmanship.
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