Baslow Bridge

Baslow Bridge is a Grade I listed stone bridge at Baslow, in the Derbyshire Dales district of England. It is a small structure, but it is one of the oldest and best-preserved road bridges in the area, and it comes with a tiny toll booth still attached to one end.

What is Baslow Bridge?

The bridge carries a road across the River Derwent beside the village of Baslow, on the edge of the Peak District. In its present form it dates mostly from the early 17th century. An inscription with the date 1608 is carved on the south-west wall, and this is the most specific dating evidence for the structure. Some secondary lists give a slightly later year, so if you want to quote a date, 1608 is the safest one to use because it comes from the bridge itself.

What does it look like?

The bridge is built of sandstone and rests on three round arches. The arches are stepped, meaning each one differs in height and span, and underneath them run six plain ribs that support the vault. The result is a low, humped profile with a pleasantly irregular line, typical of old packhorse-era crossings rather than later engineered roads.

At the north-west end stands a small gabled toll booth with a stone slate roof. It is a rare survival: most toll houses of this kind were demolished when roads were widened or tolls abolished. Here the little building remains beside the parapet and is easy to spot from the road.

Why is it protected?

Baslow Bridge holds Grade I status, the highest category of the English statutory list, which covers only a small percentage of listed buildings. It was first listed in July 1967. The bridge is also a scheduled ancient monument, which gives it a second layer of legal protection. Together, these designations show how highly the structure is valued for its age, its construction and its setting.

Visiting tips

• The bridge is in the centre of Baslow, so it is easy to combine with a walk through the village or along the river.
• Look at the arches from the riverbank to appreciate the stepped shape and the ribs underneath.
• Find the toll booth at the north-west end and the 1608 inscription on the south-west wall.
• The surrounding area belongs to the Peak District, with plenty of footpaths for a longer outing.
• Take care near the road: the bridge is still used by traffic and the footway is narrow.

Frequently asked questions

When was Baslow Bridge built? Mostly in the early 17th century. The date 1608 is inscribed on the south-west wall.

What is it made of? Sandstone, with three stepped round arches and six plain ribs beneath.

Is Baslow Bridge protected? Yes. It is Grade I listed (first listed in 1967) and is also a scheduled ancient monument.

What is the small building at one end? A gabled toll booth with a stone slate roof, standing at the north-west end of the bridge.

Where is it? In Baslow, Derbyshire Dales, near the River Derwent, at roughly 53.25 N, 1.63 W.

Is it worth a stop? For anyone interested in historic architecture or old bridges, yes. It takes only a few minutes to see and fits easily into a wider day in the Peak District.