Bridge details and location
Bidford-on-Avon River Bridge was built in the early 15th Century and is located over the River Avon. The former packhorse structure is constructed from coursed blue lias, limestone and other stones, with some brick patching on the upstream elevation. The scheduled ancient monument and listed building consists of eight masonry stone arches, with cutwaters on the east side only. The bridge provides one navigable channel to vessels on the River Avon watercourse.
The first, second, sixth and seventh arches from Bidford side are believed to be of original construction. The parapet has almost wholly been renewed. Believed to have been built by the monks of Bordesley Abbey the bridge has been repaired in 1449, 1545 with stone from Alcester Priory, and major repairs undertaken in 1641 and 1650. The central arch was heightened in the late 18th Century when the Avon was made navigable up to Stratford, although this is not the current navigable channel.
The B4085 Honeybourne Rd is a key ‘Vale of Evesham’ traffic route regularly used by residents and commuters from both Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Bidford Bridge along with Binton (Welford on Avon) River Bridge is only one of two river bridge crossings between Stratford upon Avon and Evesham. It currently has a structural 10T weight limit, emergency and public vehicles exempt, in place to prevent and safeguard from heavy goods vehicles crossing.
