Region:
Red Wheel Site:
Transport Mode(s):
Address:
Postcode:
Visitor Centre:
Website:
Visit website
Between Godalming and Farnham, there were at one time 14 medieval crossings of the river Wey. Six have survived. They are Eashing, Unstead, Somerset, Elstead and two at Tilford. They are built in the local undressed Bargate stone.
The old and the new have been skilfully and sensitively brought together at Tilford. The 13th-century Tilford West Bridge across the River Wey was built in the 13th century by monks from nearby Waverley Abbey. It has been restored and Tilford New Bridge constructed alongside to replace a semi-permanent crossing built by the army in 1941. The bridges form an important local link and during construction a temporary footbridge was constructed to minimise disruption. Harmony between the old and new bridges has been achieved by using an ironstone surface to the new piers and timber parapets to the new bridge. The minimal use of signage and other street furniture ensures that the bridges and their new approaches do not detract from the natural landscape. The timber used for the parapets - oak for the old bridge and ekki on the new bridge - is from sustainable sources and a large portion of the materials from the demolition of the old bridge were recycled.
The other medieval bridge in Tilford known as Tilford Packhorse Bridge is still in use for vehicles. Both are located close to the Green.
The Packhorse Bridge is on B3001 in the centre of Tilford. Both bridges are close to the Green.
Addison, Sir William. The Old Roads of England ISBN 0 7134 1714 5 (1980)
Albert, W. The Turnpike Road System in England 1663- 1840. Camb. Univ. Press. ISBN O 5210 3391 8 (1972)
Harrison, David. The Bridges of Medieval England. Oxford. ISBN 978-0-19-922685-6 (2004)
Hindle, P. Roads and Tracks for Historians. ISBN 1 86077 182 3 (2001)
Hindley, G. History of the Roads. Peter Davies. ISBN 0 8065 0290 8 (1971)
Jackson, Gibbard. From Track to Highway. (1935)
Jervoise, E. Ancient Bridges of England. Architectural Press. (1932)
Otter, R.A. Civil Engineering Heritage: Southern England (1994)
Pevsner, N. : Buildings of England: Surrey(1971) pp 408 - 9.
Sheldon, G. From Trackway to Turnpike. Oxfd. Univ. Press. (1928)
Taylor, C. Roads and Tracks of Britain. ISBN 0 460 04329 3 (1979)
RESEARCH VOLUME OF THE SURREY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOC. NO. 1 (1974): The River Wey Bridges Between Farnham and Guildford. Article by D. R. Renn pp 75 - 83.
Victoria County History. Vol. II p. 593.