Tadpole Bridge

Tadpole Bridge is a single-span stone structure that crosses the River Thames, linking Bampton to the north with Buckland to the south. The bridge has a clearance of about 4.5 meters (15 feet) and carries a maximum weight limit of 18 tonnes for vehicles passing over it.

Built in 1784, the bridge exemplifies late 18th-century engineering practices in England. Its construction improved transportation across the Thames Valley, making it easier for people and goods to cross the river.

The bridge marks a long-established crossing point over the Thames where people have journeyed between communities for centuries. Today, walkers and locals use this spot to experience the river and surrounding countryside.

You can walk or cycle across the bridge, and it sits right on the Thames Path for easy access from the walking route. Heavy vehicles cannot pass due to weight restrictions, so it serves mainly foot and light traffic.

A Roman bronze bracelet discovered near this crossing suggests the location served as an important route for centuries before the bridge was built. This finds suggests that people have been crossing the Thames at this spot since ancient times.

Location: Buckland

Inception: 1784

GPS coordinates: 51.70153,-1.51716

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:03