'Willowford Bridge, Gilsland'
Location : Gilsland
Map - Ordnance Survey - NY 623665
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Hadrian's Wall at Willowford crossing,
with the new bridge bottom right,
and the remains of Milecastle 49 on the left. |
Since Roman time, the River Irthing has changed its course and moved westwards. The stonework here (and in the aerial picture above)
is the remains of an abutment which supported the east end of a bridge carrying Hadrian's Wall across
the River Irthing, and which protected the river bank from erosion.
During the Roman period, three successive bridges were built here. An information panel shows what
the first bridge carrying Hadrian's Wall across the river may have looked like.
In 2001 a new metal bridge was built over the River Irthing, to provide a continuous route from
Gilsland to Birdoswald.
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| Hadrian's Wall at Willowford crossing, with the new bridge top left. |
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| Hadrian's Wall and Willowford crossing. Birdoswald Fort, top right. |
Aerial photos by Simon Ledingham.
Page last changed 11 Jan 2007.
