Newsham Bridge Lincolnshire ~ A Visitors Guide
This morn saw your host breaking his fast whilst perusing an old Map of Lincolnshire, as one does, John Speed published in 1610, when suddenly mine eye spotteth sumfink !
Hello, what’s that then - Newsham Abbey - never heard of that - is it still extant ?
And so The Game was Afoot
I decided, although it goes against the grain, I should perhaps consult a slightly more up-to-date map. I’m never far away from a bottle of claret or an Ordnance Survey map of Lincolnshire and a good thing too !
Finally found it and it is now, sadly, simply earthworks - but as it’s within cycling distance twas a trip that had to be undertaken. and if it twere to be undertaken then better it were undertaken quickly (hope you’re spotting these)
Now, due to a rush of blood in the photography department, I’ve had to split this post. Finding this bridge was not even on the agenda and imagine my surprise just coming across it - quite staggering.
I knew absolutely nothing about it, not even its existence but it really is a magnificent piece of engineering and stonework.
Why this is so obscure is, once more, not only staggering but also criminal.
There is a Gargoyle here on the right just to show you an example of the outstanding detailing and carving.
I’ve struggled to get much information on Newsham Bridge. What I do know is that it was all part of the redevelopment of the Brocklesby Park Estate in the 18th century.
The job was carried out by the one and only Capability Brown !
The bridge was constructed to span the newly created Newsham Lake and I cannot over stress what a delight it was not only to find it out of the blue but also simply just to be there.
It should be noted that it is on Private Property, there are various public footpaths in the area but permission should be sought should you wish to retrace my steps
Newsham Bridge as Seen from the ‘Rear’
The above shows the scene from the rear of the approach. Some of these pictures are not quite as good as I would have liked because getting into position for a shot was tricky to say the least. That one is not bad though
The Aspect Seen on Approach
The above and below showed you the site I saw whilst looking for a mound in a field !
It’s pretty overgrown which made getting a shot here a pain in more ways than one - nettles you gotta love ‘em.
A Bit Nearer
An Archway Under One of the Bridge Spans
I managed to get to the base of the bridge and actually under the first span, as can be seen above it’s pretty impressive even in the underside detailing, stonemason really doing the business here.
The image below shows you the detailing above said archway
Stone Carving in Lincolnshire
This was an absolutely marvellous day, the sun shining and I spent 3.5 hours cycling, what more could you want (well some lemon juice actually but that’s another story).
A fabulous ancient architectural find, plenty of exercise and sunshine another great trip - more to come on this one as well.
Cracking !
Capably Yours
Rod
Femme Fatale said,
June 29, 2009 @ 10:22 pm
Rod,
Truly beautiful.
I wonder why these fabulous constructions that you manage to find, are not readily accessible?
FF
xx
Little Brother said,
June 29, 2009 @ 10:51 pm
Rod,
Another winner! Tip of the hat in your general direction etc. I truly believe bridges to be one of the most under appreciated of all our engineering feats.
LB
ps would you be able to reccommend a blog post which gives a ‘brief history of gargoyles’….?
Rod said,
June 30, 2009 @ 8:18 am
FF,
I think it’s because it’s Lincolnshire and we seem to hold ourheritage and assets with little or no regard.
I’ve seen plenty of ‘famous’ bridges that are not a pathc on this one.
Regards
Rod
Rod said,
June 30, 2009 @ 8:21 am
LB,
I just wish I could have got a better long shot but everything was too overgrown sadly.
I did read something about gargoyles recently, can’t quite remember where, but it was pretty thin stuff - I may need to write a more definitive guide myself
Cheers
Rod
David Wright said,
July 11, 2009 @ 10:42 am
Where do you get permission from to visit the bridge?
Rod said,
July 11, 2009 @ 11:48 am
Try the Brocklesby Park estate offices
dendro76 said,
August 24, 2009 @ 8:23 pm
Hi
Regarding the bridge and site! im currently carrying out an archaeological survey upon this site. there are many great features which one cannot see unless shown. there are many scatters of pottery around the area of the woodlands indicating that there has been occupation upon the site for at least 2000 years! would be glad to answer any questions you may have about this site! its my favoraite place in the whole of the country!!!
regards
rich
Rod said,
August 25, 2009 @ 7:59 am
Rich,
that is so interesting . . thanks for taking the time to comment and welcome to the site.
I would be interested to hear anything at all about the site and surrounding area.
It would be great to get it on the site that way preserved and easily accessed for the future.
I revisited the other week actually, it is fabulous spot
I’m really envious of what you’re doing Rich
All the best
Rod
chris keyworth said,
September 26, 2009 @ 5:56 pm
Evening Stoneman Rich,There are new things to add to the file, get in touch with me, Have you been digging recently on the site as i was down there last week and there was some fresh diggings recently done, did you do that disitation on Newhouse as i would love to have a read at some point regards
chris
chris keyworth said,
September 26, 2009 @ 6:03 pm
Just a quicky, Henry Rayment the old Land agent has now gone so permision for this site may be a bit easyer to obtain, i have it on good authority that the chap doing the job now is very aproachable and easy to get on with. a long over due breath of fresh air is what the Brocklesby park eastate needed about time…..
Regards
Chris
chris keyworth said,
September 26, 2009 @ 6:24 pm
Rod Check your Inbox Large File Inbound
chris keyworth said,
October 6, 2009 @ 11:42 am
Hi Rod
just been told that there is an excavation underway on the Abbey hopefully it is being professionally done, the info has come Third hand so not sure if there is anything in it at this moment in time until ive had a look at the weekend… i will let you know…
Rod said,
October 6, 2009 @ 1:55 pm
Hi Chris,
that sounds interesting, very interesting indeed !
Hopefully some good info will come from it
All the best
Rod
chris keyworth said,
October 14, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
I went for a walk today in Newshams, im not kidding you, the place is seriously deteriating, the amount of Rubish in there now and the fires where people (kids) have been camping is the worst that ive ever seen, there is an excavation underway or there was should i say, i saw Stoneman Rick in there, he said he was filling in a hole, he also mentioned that Defra are on the site too, aparrently it has the biggest population of great crested newts in lincolnshire hummmm maybe, i brought this to the attention of the estate many years ago aswell as the human remains that where exposed in the wood when they were tree felling in there, he also mentioned about the earthworks to the west of the abbey as being civil war but i dont go along with that one it just dosn’t fit in with the grand scheme of things going on there, anyway im sure rich will update on here if he finds the time….
Regards
Chris
Rod said,
October 14, 2009 @ 7:54 pm
Hi Chris,
thanks for the update - I have to say I agree with you as well.
I was there revisiting a couple of months ago and noticed the rubbish - to emphasise the point there was a family their having a picnic and they had garbage strewn all over the place.
Hope to hear what they found, or found out, just as I hope to visit when the foliage has died down in the hope of some better photos
Thanks and Regards
Rod
Eve said,
October 30, 2009 @ 3:03 pm
Dear Rod,
I have just read your pages and it has made my day. Since buying my 1610 John Speede map I too have tried to find more information regarding Newsham Abbey, all to no avail. My only feedback was my husband who was raised in Habrough and played in the woods throughout his childhood. He talked about the bridge being in good condition and earthworks in the fields and the woods. We always wondered why the site was never studied as it seems to be of substantial size, and I am sure has a story to tell. Unfortunately my husband died last year so he never got to show me the bridge, I thought I would never see it so thank you very much for your lovely pictures, my husband described it perfectly. Good luck with all your future finds.
Eve
Rod said,
October 30, 2009 @ 3:24 pm
Hi Eve
many thanks for the comment and welcome to the site.
Sorry to hear of your loss and pleased the pictures were of a least a little use to you.
I am aiming to get back there when the foliage has died off this winter and get some better shots so it’s worth returning.
Chris keyworth, stalwart contributor to the site, is very well versed in the area and I hope we’ll be able to bring more information and pictures about the whole area as and when possible Eve
Best Wishes
Rod
chris keyworth said,
October 30, 2009 @ 5:09 pm
Rod i went for a wander round newsham yesterday with the dogs, the undergrowth has now all but gone as is the water in the lake so you should be able to get some pictures now..
eve what was your husbands names as I to was born and raised in Habrough, Newshams was my stomping ground too….
Regards
Chris