SCRCA Structure 251240: Packsaddle Bridge beside Dent Head Viaduct

SCRCA Location Introduction

This historic and attractive little road bridge lies on the original alignment of the road linking Dentdale with the Hawes-Ingleton Road at the head of Ribblesdale. The road at Dent Head was re-aligned circa 1869 to create room for the Settle-Carlisle Railway - hence the inclusion of this structure in the SCRCA Database.

In the default image below, the packsaddle bridge is viewed through and framed by two of the piers of Dent Head Viaduct. The limestone blocks used to construct the viaduct are massive by comparison with the relatively small gritstone blocks used to construct the packsaddle bridge.

When viewing the enlarged versions of the images in the main gallery below, note the contrast in scale between the viaduct and the packhorse bridge: the towering magnificence of the railway viaduct makes the old road bridge look like a scale model.

The Grade II listed packsaddle bridge beside Dent Head Viaduct (from the west)

Key details from the Location Record

Location Type
Other location (not SCR)
Location Variant
Not Applicable
Assessment status
Assessed
Current Use(s)
Disused
Shown on a land plan?
No 
Construction / installation period
1: Pre-dates the Settle-Carlisle Railway (pre 1869)
Distance from London St.Pancras
251 miles (chains not estimated)
Position relative to running lines
Below
Visibility
This location IS visible from nearby publicly accessible land.
Accessibility (ease of access)
Easy
Protection Category
Listed, Grade II
Geographic Location
  View this location on mapping. or on aerial imagery.

List Entry Extract(s)

The information quoted below has been extracted from the relevant List Entries in 'The National Heritage List for England (NHLE) (https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/).

Tip: To open the full extract, click / tap on the List Entry Number in the left hand column.

List Entry Number (LEN) List Entry District List Entry Name
1383848 South Lakeland PACKSADDLE BRIDGE BESIDE DENT HEAD VIADUCT

Image Gallery

Tips: To view a larger version of an image, click on its thumbnail (i.e. the small image). To view the acknowledgements and notes associated with an image, click / tap on the image title.

Context views

251240: Packsaddle Bridge beside Dent Head Viaduct: Context view from the West

251240: Packsaddle Bridge beside Dent Head Viaduct: Context view from the West

251240: Packsaddle Bridge beside Dent Head Viaduct: Context view from West

251240: Packsaddle Bridge beside Dent Head Viaduct: Context view from West

Image B: The piers of Dent Head Viaduct with the packsaddle bridge beyond.

The piers of Dent Head Viaduct from the west, with the packsaddle bridge beyond

Elevation views

251230: Bridge SAC/77 - Dent Head Viaduct (stream): Elevation view from the North West

251230: Bridge SAC/77 - Dent Head Viaduct (stream): Elevation view from the North West

251240: Packsaddle Bridge beside Dent Head Viaduct: Elevation view from the east

251240: Packsaddle Bridge beside Dent Head Viaduct: Elevation view from the east

251240: Packsaddle Bridge beside Dent Head Viaduct: Elevation view from the north

251240: Packsaddle Bridge beside Dent Head Viaduct: Elevation view from the north

251240: Packsaddle Bridge beside Dent Head Viaduct: Elevation view from the West

251240: Packsaddle Bridge beside Dent Head Viaduct: Elevation view from the West

Image A: The tiny Grade II listed packsaddle bridge beside Dent Head Viaduct.

The Grade II listed packsaddle bridge beside Dent Head Viaduct (from the west)

Detail views

251240: Packsaddle Bridge beside Dent Head Viaduct: Detail view from the East

251240: Packsaddle Bridge beside Dent Head Viaduct: Detail view from the East

251240: Packsaddle Bridge beside Dent Head Viaduct: Detail view from the South East

251240: Packsaddle Bridge beside Dent Head Viaduct: Detail view from the South East

Associated Locations

None.

 

Errors and omissions
Reasonable efforts are being made to ensure the accuracy of the information obtained and uploaded as part of the SCRCA Project. However, it is possible that a few errors will have crept-in. If you notice any such errors, we would be grateful if you would bring them to our attention using the SCRCA Project Contact Form. The Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line and the members of the SCRCA Project Team do NOT guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this database. If you intend to use and / or act upon any of this information, you are advised to verify its accuracy BEFORE doing so.