BABYNS PARK BRIDGE at Marple (nr Manchester) 1813 SJ 903901 N53o 24' 31.5" W2o 3' 27.2"
This bridge was built over the River Goyt to carry the private carriage drive into the park of Babyn's Hall, home of Nathaniel Wright whose logo is incorporated into the parapet design. It may have been designed by William Sherratt and was cast by the Salford Iron Company. It has just been completely restored and reinforced with an unfortunate series of barriers and out-of-scale railings by Health and Safety since it is now a public parkland. However, the charming bridge is ready for another 200 years and from the right angle, one can ignore the obtrusive aspects. The Gate Lodge is still beside the bridge.
The bridge has three ribs of two segments whose combined span is 50 feet between the handsome masonry abutments with a width of 12 feet. The spandrels of the arch have the diminishing circle design. The date is crowned with a W motif.
To find the bridge off of the B6104 (Compstall Road), watch for The George pub. Just along to the west of the pub, on the same side of the street, you will see the public footpath sign pointing to a gravel road. The bridge will be about ΒΌ mile down that pedestrian road.