Description and History of Site:-
Carrying the A684 Leyburn and Hawes road over the River Ure this bridge has ancient origins. Leyburn noted that this " great Bridge of stone was made many yere sins by a good person of Wencelaw, caullid Alwine." John Aylwin was rector of Wensley and died in 1436. In 1400 the sum of £40 for its upkeep was left by Richard, Lord Scrope of Bolton while in 1587 repairs cost £60. Some 50 years later a further £100 was required.
In 1744 a further £55 was spent although only £40 of this was paid that year the remainder being held back until 1746. Two of the original 15th c pointed arches can still be seen on the south side while the central spans with classical arches date from the repairs of 1744-6.
The bridge was widened on the upstream side in 1818 and now consists of a central span of 37 ft. (11.28m) and two others each 36 ft. (10.97m), two of the arches being pointed and the third segmental in shape. The overall length is 145 ft. (44.20m) with a 19 ft. 6 in. (5.94m) carriageway and a 3 ft. 5 in. (1.05m) footpath.
In May 1974 Hatcher noted:- A four-arch bridge across the Ure probably originally of fifteenth-century date, but subsequently widened. -

Further Reading and References:-
Hatcher, J. Richmondshire architecture. Hatcher, 1990, page 243.
Jervoise, E. The ancient bridges of the north of England. Architectural Press, 1931; reprinted by E. P. Publishing, 1973, page 76.
The British bridges, an illustrated technical and historical record. Public Works Roads and Transport Congress, London, 1933, p357.
Hatcher, J. The industrial architecture of Yorkshire. Phillimore, 1985.

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Key Words :- road bridge stone arch

Viewing the Site :- Can be viewed from either the footpath over the bridge or that along side the River Ure

Address :- Wensley, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 4HY
Grid Ref :- SE 09126 89430
Co-ordinates :- Lat 54.300401 , Long -1.861272
Local Authority :- Richmondshire District Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - North Riding
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II
Historic England List No - 1318595,
Site Condition :- Operational site, in use for original purpose
Site Dates :- circa 1400 -
Record Date :- 21 May 2015

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