Respryn Bridge
A historic crossing
Nominated by Candy Smit, Creative Director, Lost Gardens of Heligan
Sometimes even the quaintest of designs can have a significant bearing on history. On 11th August 1644, a small but picture-perfect bridge near Bodmin did just that, by playing a hand in the English Civil War. Made up of five stone arches dating back to the 15th century, Respryn Bridge provides access across the River Fowey to one of Cornwall's grandest stately homes. During the civil war the house was captured by King Charles' Royalists, with the king himself riding his horse across the bridge to help protect the grounds from his enemy. Although King Charles would eventually meet his demise, the bridge survived both the Civil War and the industrial revolution – even after the local hamlet of Respryn was demolished to make room for Brunel's expanding rail network. Nowadays, despite recent flooding from the Fowey wreaking havoc in the local area, the bridge still stands – a paradise for artists, photographers and ramblers, and the occasional stopping point for lorries sent astray by faulty Sat Navs. And none should fail but be inspired by this idyllic ancient structure. Its design has withstood the test of time, and in its own simple way, written itself into a chapter of Cornish history.
Image courtesy of Richard and Gill Long