Kerne Bridge

Kerne Bridge is a stone arch bridge with five spans that crosses the River Wye between Goodrich and Walford along the B4229 road. Its structure features local sandstone masonry and includes stepped access from the lower level for pedestrians.

Completed in 1828, it replaced an ancient ford known as Flanesford that had served for centuries. This structure subsequently supported the movement of industrial goods including iron and coal from the Forest of Dean region.

The bridge has served as a crossing point that shaped life in both villages for nearly two centuries. Today, it remains a landmark that locals and visitors use to traverse the river and experience the Wye Valley landscape.

The bridge remains open to both vehicles and pedestrians with accessible stairs from both approaches. The site sits above flowing water, so visitors should be mindful of weather conditions and river levels when crossing.

The bridge displays carefully crafted stone voussoirs and segmental arches that reveal skilled masonry techniques from the 1800s. These architectural details, often overlooked by casual visitors, demonstrate the precision required to build such crossing points without modern equipment.

Location: Goodrich

Location: Walford

Inception: 1828

GPS coordinates: 51.87000,-2.61029

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:21