Love Lincolnshire Wolds - Rich Heritage & Natural Beauty
  • Create listing
  • Login
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Activities Things to do
    • Walk & Cycle
    • Active Outdoors
    • Shopping
    • Arts & Crafts
    • Food and Drink
    • Churches
    • Heritage and History
    • Nature and Wildlife
    • Dog Friendly
  • Events What's On
  • Explore the area Local towns & villages
    • Lincolnshire Wolds
    • Market Towns & Villages
    • Food and Drink
    • Alford
    • Caistor
    • Horncastle
    • Louth
    • Market Rasen
    • Spilsby
    • Coastal Charm
    • Rich Heritage
    • Exploring further afield
    • Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage
    • Special Offers
  • Accommodation Hotels, B&B's, self-catering
  • Inspiration Ideas, competitions & more!
Menu
  • Activities
  • Packhorse Bridge, West Rasen

Packhorse Bridge, West Rasen

  • Heritage & History
  • Leisure
  • Market Rasen

The West Rasen Packhorse Bridge over the River Rase, is thought to have been built in 1310 by Bishop John Dalderby (Bishop of Lincoln 1300 to 1320), and is sometimes known as Bishops Bridge.

Packhorses were the main mode of transport for carrying goods overland throughout the Middle Ages. Trade routes were developed between market towns and to coastal ports such as Boston. Wheeled carts were so rare that rural bridges were not constructed wide enough to carry them. Few packhorse bridges remain today, and the West Rasen bridge is one of the finest.

The adjacent road bridge is constructed on the site of a brick arched bridge which was built in 1856. Prior to that time, the Market Rasen to Gainsborough road forded the river to the east side of the Packhorse Bridge. In times of flood heavier carts had to wait for the water to subside. Lighter two wheeled traps are said to have removed one wheel so that they could be manhandled over the Packhorse Bridge.

There are two other 14th century packhorse bridges in Lincolnshire. One at Utterby near Louth and at Screddington near Sleaford.

Information taken from the plaque erected by Lincolnshire County Council.

Image credit: Neil Freestone.

  • Tweet

Search by tag:

  • Heritage
  • Walking
  • Get Directions

Location

A631, West Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN8 3LS.
Report an issue with this listing

Discover more in Market Rasen

Why not make a day of it?

  • Food & Drink
  • Attractions
  • Places to stay
Market Rasen
The Vintage Tea Rooms
Gainsborough Lincoln Market Rasen
Hemswell Coffee Shop
Horncastle Louth Market Rasen
Post and Pantry
Market Rasen
Walesby Woodlands Caravan Park
Market Rasen
LucaVet Vetenary Practice
Market Rasen
The Green life pantry
Market Rasen
East Farm Cottage
Market Rasen
Glentham Grange Caravan Park
Caistor Market Rasen
Treetops Cottages & Spa

Sign-up to our newsletter for regular news and events across the Lincolnshire Wolds and Market Towns

By signing up to this electronic newsletter, you give us your consent to send you the Love Lincolnshire Wolds e-newsletter via email. We will add your details to our e-newsletter system provided by Newzapp but will not share your information with other third parties. Each newsletter provides the option to unsubscribe.

Search our accommodation

Looking for the perfect weekend getaway? The Lincolnshire Wolds is full of hidden gems just waiting for you to explore. Click below to search our list of hotels, B&B's, camping and self-catering accommodation.

  • Search now
  • East Lindsey District Council
  • West Lindsey District Council
  • Media Downloads
  • Image Library
  • Explore the area
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Accommodation
  • Inspiration
  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Registered office:
East Lindsey District Council, Tedder Hall, Manby Park, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 8UP.
Telephone: 01507 601111
© 2022 East Lindsey District Council website design by rootstudio