Ancholme Tow Path Bridge At Tf 010990, Caistor Canal

The Ancholme towpath bridge, located at the Caistor Canal, dates from around 1793 to 1795. It features ashlar abutments made of large, fine blocks, supporting a simple 20th-century steel span.

Historically, the Caistor Canal was constructed following an Act of Parliament in 1793, based on a survey by engineer William Jessop in 1792. By 1877, the canal was disused. It was intended to run from the River Ancholme Navigation eastward to the town of Caistor, but only about half of it was built, reaching as far as the village of Moortown, approximately 4.5 miles away. 19th-century Ordnance Survey maps indicate the presence of six locks, with the highest one near the basin at Moortown having completely vanished by the 1960s, along with any remnants of a wharf, basin, or buildings that may have existed at that end. The other five locks remain intact, although they are missing gates and paddle gear.

While a former bridge at South Kelsey has been replaced, this bridge, which carries the towpath over the entrance to the canal, still stands. Although the 20th-century steel span is not of special architectural interest, it is supported by stone abutments similar to those found at the locks. This bridge is part of a group with Lock No. 1, and together, they represent a significant example of 18th-century canal engineering, showcasing impressive construction quality.