There are two medieval bridges in Yalding, Twyford and Yalding Town, the latter a Grade I scheduled Ancient Monument.
Twyford Bridge Marina, Hampstead Lane, Yalding. ME18 6HH
There are two medieval bridges in Yalding, Twyford and Yalding Town, the latter a Grade I scheduled Ancient Monument.
Yalding is in two parts joined by the High Street. It grew up where the rivers Beult and Tiese join together before they flow into the River Medway, and it may have derived its name from an old expression meaning 'twin ford'. There are now two bridges. Yalding Town Bridge, which has been there since the 15th century and crosses the river Beult, and Twyford Bridge, which is generally regarded as one of Kent's - indeed, one of the south-east's - finest medieval stone bridges, and spans the confluence of the Tiese and the Medway.
Yalding Town bridge, the main crossing point within the current village over the river Beult, is a stone bridge about 450 ft long and was constructed in the 1400's probably on the site of an old wooden structure. This bridge is the longest surviving medieval bridge in Kent. Although scheduled as a Grade 1 Ancient Monument of 15th century date, it will be seen on closer observation that, in fact, it consists of two major constructions; one alongside the other, in order to increase the width of the carriage-way. The later addition blends with the original stone bridge and cannot be seen until one examines the arches underneath. It appears that the earlier, more ancient were built of rough slabs of Kentish Ragstone, no doubt, brought from the local quarries of Boughton Monchelsea, which are reputed to have been worked in Roman times.
Despite the traffic lights which now control the Twyford Bridge crossing, it is still basically the same bridge that has borne wheeled vehicles and pack horses from one side to the other for at least 500 years. No one knows just how old it is, but it was certainly there in 1325 although it has changed since then. In 1939 part of it collapsed into the river but it was repaired and there have been further repairs since then. It has a new look about it now because of its rebuilt parapet of red brick, and because of the traffic lights that control the road traffic crossings. But it is still basically the same bridge that has borne wheeled vehicles from one side to the other for at least five hundred years.
By road: Both bridges are reached by turning off the B2015 along B2162. By rail: Yalding station is on the B2162.
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Forgotten Relics - Listed Bridges and Viaducts
