The bridge consists of six arches, three of which are the original semi-circular stone arches. They span twelve, fourteen and twelve feet and the massive piers possess cutwaters at their upstream ends which are extended to the level of the parapet to provide triangular pedestrian refuges. A fourth segmental stone arch was probably dates from 1674.

The brick arch at the north end was made in the 18th century, the stone arch at the south end, with brick spandrels, in the 19th century.

The old parapet walls were damaged by tanks training in the area during the Second World War and were replaced by bricks walls with stone copings.

During the Civil War, a skirmish between a small force from the Royalist garrison at Wareham and three hundred "rebels" took place on and near the bridge in 1643.

The Royalist captain and lieutenant were both injured and ordered themselves to be carried to the edge of the bridge from where they directed the action until the arrival of relieving troops who chased the Roundheads off. Forty Parliamentarians were killed in the skirmish and the lieutenant bled to death.

Links to Other Pages on this Site DORSET   Bridges of Dorset   Towns & Villages of Dorset

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Links to Other Pages on this Site TOWNS & VILLAGES (E) Creech   Dorset, England 4.1 km SW East Creech   Dorset, England 5.8 km SW East Stoke   Dorset, England 2 km SE Holmebridge   Dorset, England 0.2 km N Wareham   Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, England 3.3 km NW Sandford   Dorset, England 5 km NW OTHER PLACES Grange Heath   Dorset, England 2.9 km SE Grange Heath   Dorset, England 2.9 km SE Town Hall   East Street, Wareham, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset The museum tells the story of Wareham from pre-historic times with a special exhibition on Lawrence of Arabia. 3.3 km NE Bindon Abbey   Dorset, England 3.5 km W Gore Heath   Dorset, England 6 km NE Bovington Camp   Dorset The tank museum houses the world s finest indoor collection of armoured fighting vehicles. There is a large car park, outdoor children s play area, gift shop and licensed restaurant. Free audio guides are available. There are Tanks in Action displays thro 6.4 km NW Isle of Purbeck   Dorset, England Never really an island, Purbeck has its own specialcharacter and some spectacular scenery 6.8 km SE Lulworth Cove   Dorset, England The sea has carved out a near-circular cove in the Dorset coast 9.3 km SW Public Houses Seven Stars Inn n, Dorset   DT2 8RL 7.4 km NE Red Lion Hotel th Newburgh, Dorset   DT2 8LE 8.5 km SE Sailors Return n Herring, Dorset   DT2 8DN 10.5 km SE Frampton Arms Hurst Rd, Moreton, Dorset   DT2 8BB 11.3 km NE The Greyhound Inn North St, Winterborne Kingston, Dorset   DT11 9AZ 11.4 km NE The Martyrs Inn 49 Main Rd, Tolpuddle, Dorset   DT2 7ES 12.2 km NE Square & Compass Worth Matravers, Dorset   BH19 3LF 12.4 km SW The King`s Arms 27 High St, Langton Matravers, Dorset   BH19 3HA 13.4 km SW The Ship Inn Langton Matravers, Dorset   BH19 3EU 13.6 km SW STURMINSTER MARSHALL The next bridge downstream on the Stour from Spetisbury, it is reckoned to be the oldest of the Dorset bridges.