Wilton Bridge | |
|---|---|
 Wilton Bridge seen from the south side of the river. | |
| Coordinates | 51°54′54″N2°35′51″W / 51.9149°N 2.5976°W |
| Carries | B4260 |
| Crosses | River Wye |
| Locale | Herefordshire |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Six spans, segmental arches, red sandstone |
| Total length | 85 metres (279 ft) |
| History | |
| Opened | 1599 |
| Location | |
 | |
Wilton Bridge is a Grade I listed bridge crossing the River Wye between Wilton, Herefordshire and Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, England. [1]
The bridge was authorised in 1597 and completed two years later. One of the arches was destroyed during the Civil War. The bridge was widened and reinforced with concrete in 1914. [2] A sundial was added in the early 18th century.
The sundial was commissioned by Jonathan Barrow in 1718. [3] It has an eroded inscription which was recorded by the RCHM as reading
Esteem they precious time
Which pass so swift away
Prepare thee for eternity
And do not make delay. [4]
The sundial was featured in a 1905 published poem by C. M. Paine.
On Wilton Bridge o’er restless Wye
A moss-grown pillar lifts on high
A dial quaint, on whose worn face
Whoever will may pause and trace
Its message to the passer-by.
It shows life’s hours like shadows fly:
Gives counsel wise all should apply;
So lighter thoughts to grave give place
On Wilton Bridge.
Placed where much beauty charms the eye,
These piers both Time and tide defy,
Builded of old with massive grace.
And though men pass with hurried pace.
Content to rest and dream am I –
On Wilton Bridge. [3]
The River Wye is the fourth-longest river in the UK, stretching some 250 kilometres from its source on Plynlimon in mid Wales to the Severn Estuary. The lower reaches of the river forms part of the border between England and Wales. The Wye Valley is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Wye is important for nature conservation and recreation, but is affected by pollution.
Ross-on-Wye is a market town and civil parish in Herefordshire, England, near the border with Wales. It had a population estimated at 10,978 in 2021. It lies in south-east of the county, on the River Wye and on the northern edge of the Forest of Dean.
Herefordshire is a ceremonial county in the West Midlands region of England. It is bordered by Shropshire to the north, Worcestershire to the east, Gloucestershire to the south-east, and the Welsh counties of Monmouthshire and Powys to the west. The city of Hereford is the largest settlement and the county town.
The River Lugg rises near Llangynllo in Powys, Wales. From its source, it flows through the border town of Presteigne and then into Herefordshire, England. It meets its main tributary, the River Arrow, to the south of Leominster, then flows into the River Wye downstream of Hereford at Mordiford, around 63 miles (101 km) from its source. Its name comes from a Welsh root, and means "bright stream".
The Severn Bridge is a motorway suspension bridge that spans the River Severn between South Gloucestershire in England and Monmouthshire in South East Wales. It is the original Severn road crossing between England and Wales, and took three and a half years to build, at a cost of £8 million. It replaced the 137-year-old Aust Ferry.
Ganarew is a village and small civil parish in south Herefordshire, England near the River Wye and the border with Wales. The village is located 0.62 miles (1.00 km) southwest of the village of Whitchurch on the main A40 road, and lies within the electoral ward of Kerne Bridge. The village is about 2 miles (3.2 km) from Monmouth and 8 miles (13 km) from Ross-on-Wye. It contains the Church of St Swithin and Ganarew Manor.
Ludford is a small village and civil parish in south Shropshire, England. The parish is situated adjacent to the market town of Ludlow and was, until 1895, partly in Herefordshire.
Wilton is a village in south Herefordshire, England, just under a mile west of the market town of Ross-on-Wye.
The A466, also known as the Wye Valley Road, is a road from Hereford, England to Chepstow, Wales via Monmouth, Tintern and the Wye Valley.
Wilton Castle is a 12th-century Norman castle located in south-eastern Herefordshire, England on the River Wye adjacent to the town of Ross-on-Wye. The castle is named after the manor associated with it.
Bridge Sollers is a village and civil parish in Herefordshire, England, 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Hereford, on the River Wye.
Kinnersley is a village and civil parish in Herefordshire, England. The village is about 5 miles (8 km) east of the Wales-England border and 10 miles (16 km) north-west of Hereford.
Bigsweir Bridge is an 1827 road bridge crossing the River Wye, straddling the boundary between the parish of St. Briavels, Gloucestershire, England, and Llandogo, Monmouthshire, Wales.
Bridstow is a village and civil parish in Herefordshire, England, 2 km west of Ross-on-Wye and 17 km south-east of Hereford. The parish is bounded to the east and south by the River Wye. The A40 road linking the M50 motorway to South Wales runs through the parish, crossing the Wye at Bridstow Bridge. The parish had a population of 906 in the 2011 UK census, and an estimated population of 941 in 2018.
The Wye Bridge in Monmouth is a bridge across the River Wye. The A466 passes over it and immediately meets the A40 at its western end. The bridge is a grade II listed building. The total span of the bridge is 71 metres (233 ft).
Wye Bridge is a section of the Severn Bridge, the first road bridge built over the Severn Estuary which now carries the M48 motorway.
Whitney-on-Wye toll bridge is a single-carriageway, wood- and stone-construction in Herefordshire, England. The toll bridge carries the B4350 south from its junction with the A438, near Whitney-on-Wye, across the River Wye. It comprises two Grade II listed structures.
Marstow is a hamlet and civil parish in south eastern Herefordshire, England. Most of the parish is within the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Kerne Bridge was built over the River Wye in the County of Herefordshire, England in 1825–28, on the site of an ancient ford crossing known as Flanesford. It is designated as a Scheduled Monument. Carrying the B4229 road, it connects the parishes of Walford on the river's left bank and Goodrich on the right. It is situated in the heart of the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and marks the northern end of the Upper Wye Gorge.