Thoresby Park bridges.

 

Above: 19th century engraving showing the Green Bridge leading to Thoresby Hall.

Above: Green Bridge, originally called Stone Bridge, but renamed due to the grass which covers its path, has retained much of its beauty. This bridge was originally sited further upstream, its elegant design clearly intended for lightweight carriages, coaches and pedestrians visiting the original Thoresby Hall. But it presented what was considered an unflattering end-on view of the building. So Charles (Meadows) Pierrepont, 1st Earl Manvers, in consultation with landscape gardener Humphrey Repton, moved the bridge to its present location. The actual bridge was relocated, and not simply rebuilt. However, when the third Hall was built further uphill to the north, and mechanised vehicles replaces carts and horses, it became impractical to use as a regular route.

Above: Pierrepont Bridge, designed by Wilkins, an architect from Cambridge, stands near Budby Castle (originally called William Castle) and strides the western tip of Thoresby Lake where the River Meden leaves Budby. In its prime, one could stand there and see Kingston Island, with Thoresby Hall beyond, and even the spire of Perlethorpe Church in the distance. Not designed for heavy mechanised traffic, but stout enough to serve as a route for the boat crews, and later on the Clerks of Work who resided at the Castle. Today its ironwork railings and other features are long since gone.

Above and below: Referred to on this c.1913 postcard (and still today) as Thoresby Bridge, this was originally named 7 Ton Bridge. It linked the present Thoresby Hall with Perlethorpe Village, and the main roads beyond. As the name implies, it was designed to support the heavy mechanized vehicles of the 20th century, including those used by the military in two World Wars when soldiers were billeted on the Estate. 7 Ton Bridge did however close down during the 1980's as ownership of the Hall changed, and the maintenance of certain properties on the Estate changed with it. Today it only allows access to the estate's own official vehicles. However, pedestrian access is now possible (2024) so visitors to the estate can use the nearby picnic area.

Below: Perlethorpe Village bridge over the River Meden, 1986.