Stopham Bridge

I’ve passed this bridge many times in the last 14 years but never stopped to photograph it. On a drive with Ben and Sarah this afternoon, we stopped to look at this historic scene.
Stopham Bridge crosses the River Arun, just north of its junction with the River Rother, and right next to the White Hart on the A283 between Fittleworth and Pulborough.

The first bridge was established here in the early 1300’s, wooden of course. Before that there had been a ford across, it seems to have gone to the left side of the bridge where the bushes are now. The first local stone bridge came later in 1442. In 1822, the centre arch raised to provide clearance for vessels using the Arun Navigation and Wey and Arun Canal. It has fallen into disrepair at many stages of its life, but is currently in good repair for pedestrians and has been declared a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The new road bridge was built alongside in 1986 with fewer spans and reinforced concrete piers, not so pretty, but more reliable, penetrating the 15-20 metres of unstable ground to the firm sandstone layers.  We’ll go another time for a leisurely walk across and maybe a snack at the White Hart.