Culham Bridge

Culham Bridge is a stone arch bridge crossing Swift Ditch with five spans of varying heights. The arches combine round and four-centered designs, with each adjusted to the natural slope of the water course.

The Brotherhood of Christ built the bridge between 1416 and 1422, replacing an ancient ford called Culham Hythe near Abingdon. This represented a shift from temporary river crossings to a permanent stone structure.

The bridge was long a vital crossing point for travelers and merchants moving between settlements in the area. Walking across it today, visitors can observe the craftsmanship and understand how this structure shaped local movement and trade patterns.

Vehicular traffic now crosses a modern bridge upstream, while the original structure serves only pedestrian access since 1928. Visitors can easily walk across and examine the medieval stonework up close from the pathway.

During World War II, military forces placed two 250-ton concrete bunkers on the bridge, each equipped with anti-tank guns for defense. These fortifications reveal how important this crossing was considered for the country's wartime protection.

Location: Culham

Inception: 1416

Made from material: stone

GPS coordinates: 51.65840,-1.27727

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:43