Kildwick Bridge

Kildwick Bridge is a historic bridge built between 1305 and 1313 for the monks of Bolton Abbey. It was widened on the east side in 1780, with repairs to the parapet and flanking walls occurring in the 19th century, and it was strengthened in 1961. The bridge is constructed of ashlar stone with gritstone rubble patching and repairs. It features four arches with pointed cutwaters. The west side, which retains medieval work, has two pointed northern arches and two round arches to the south. Each arch is adorned with chamfered voussoirs and five deep chamfered ribs. There is a projecting band at road level and ridged parapet coping. The east side has four round arches, a projecting band, and a parapet similar to the west side, along with shallow buttresses rising from the cutwaters. Kildwick Bridge is one of the earliest documented medieval bridges, with construction records detailing payments to masons, carters, and stone-breakers, as well as the construction of a lime kiln in 1308. It served as the main route for monks traveling from Bolton Abbey across the River Aire towards Lancashire.