Dorset's bridges reflect the nature of the county itself; there are no wide estuaries nor deep ravines to traverse; a predominantly rural county, Dorset had no major manufacturing industries to serve. The railways did not arrive until the opening of the Southampton to Dorchester line in 1847.

There is no specific mention of a single bridge, either of wood or of stone, in William the Conqueror's Domesday Survey of 1086.

This was two years before Peter of Colechurch began work on the stone arches of Old London Bridge.

White Mill Bridge, on the river Stour at Sturminster Marshall, is one of Dorset's oldest with a history going back to 1174 although it is not known whether this was a timber or stone structure.

A peculiar feature of many Dorset bridges are the plates attached to them which threatens "Transportation for Life" to persons damaging the structures. This was directed more at the drivers of the new steam engines then any casual vandal and authorised by an Act of Parliament of 1827, the relevant portion of which reads;

And be it enacted, That if any Person shall unlawfully and maliciously pull down or in any wise destroy any public Bridge, or do any Ijury with Intent and so thereby to render such Bridge or any part thereof dangerous or impassable, every such Offender shall be guilty of Felony, and, being convicted thereof, shall be liable, at the Discretion of the Court, to be transported beyond the Seas for Life, or for any Term not less than Seven Years, or to be imprisoned for any Term not exceeding Four Years; and, if a Male, to be once, twice, or thrice publicly or privately whipped (if the Court shall so think fit), in addition to such imprisonment.

. . . Twenty Dorset bridges still bear the plaques (e.g.: Sturminster Marshall, Sturminster Newton, Wool) although there are no records to show whether transportation was ever enforced in the county before the abolition of the law by the Penal Servitude Acts of 1853 and 1857.

see also:   BRIDGES

The Norman semi-circualr arch (e.g.: Sturminster Marshall ) gave way to the narrow pointed Gothic arch (e.g.: Holwell).

WHITE MILL BRIDGE,   Sturminster Marshall
Dorset's oldest bridge.

BUDDLE BRIDGE ,   Lyme Regis
probably dating from the 14th century and possibly a toll bridge.
CORNFORD BRIDGE,   Holwell
The narrow bridge with its three Gothic arches over the Caundle Brook dates from the late fifteenth century.
CRAWFORD BRIDGE ,   Spetisbury
A bridge existed here early in the 13th century, the present structure probably dates from the 14th or 15th centuries.
HOLME BRIDGE,   Holmebridge
The site of a bridge since the 13th century, the present structure, the site of a skirmish during the Civil War, dates from the 15th century.
TOWN BRIDGE ,   Christchurch
The date of the original medieval bridge over the river Avon has been lost but records of its repair in 1585 still survive.
OLD BRIDGE ,   Wool
The date of the original medieval bridge over the river Avon has been lost but records of its repair in 1585 still survive.

see also:   MEDIEVAL BRIDGES

BRIDGES
HISTORY OF ROAD TRANSPORT

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