Ringley Bridge was an important crossing point on the packhorse route from Bolton (leaving from the Swan hotel in Churchgate). The stone bridge was built in 1677 at a cost of �500 to replace a wooden bridge that was washed away by a flood in 1673. For many years this was the only crossing point of the River Irwell. With the construction of the new bridge in 1866 upstream and the new road the importance of the old bridge as a vital part of the road system diminished and now the bridge is closed to vehicular traffic.
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view of the bridge with the Horse Shoe Inn & St.Saviour's Church in the background |
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view over bridge with the Horse Shoe Inn & St.Saviour's Church in the background |
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view of bridge with the Lord Nelson Inn in the background |
Yes, at one end of the bridge can be found the Lord Nelson Inn, at the other end the Horse Shoe Inn (and the old stocks), with the Three Crowns public house just a few yards up the road - nearly more ale houses than people! (hence the stocks?)
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