BEVERE ISLAND BRIDGE 1844 Worchester N52o 47’ 30.2” W2o 1’ 45.3”
This graceful, shallow arch bridge with handsome brick abutments with flaring approach walls and capped pediments seems quite out of place in the fields. It spans a branch of the Severn just above a weir between the main land and Bevere Island just north of Worchester on the A449. It has open spandrels with simple vertical bars and three ribs which are further braced by rods and cross bars underneath. The railings are of simple vertical fencing.
It was once carried a carriage drive over the Severn River to a private estate on the Island owned by the reclusive Mr. Moon who was the Chief Engineer of the London/North Western Rail Co. and who retired to his Bevere Island propery according to Mr Max Sinclair, local historian. Mr Moon was prone to unannounced inspections, so the signal men would warn each other of his approach by telegraphing “Moonlight tonight” to each other. Mr Sinclair claims this is the origin of the expression “Moonlighting”.
It is difficult to find, but it is on a public footpath. On the A449 heading towards Ombersley, look closely for a small turn-off to the left marked “Lock Lane”. Proceed, bearing left, to the end and a stile at an iron farm gate with circle design. Follow the footpath along the right edge of two fields with stiles between. Just before the brick wall of a residence at the end of the second field, take a path downhill toward the river. At the bottom, turn left along river to two more stiles and fields to finally see the bridge spanning the waterway but leading to nowhere now.