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The hamlet of Northbeck takes its name from the stream, the North Beck, that passes between it and Screddington. One of two ancient waterways draining the lands around Aswarby (the other is the South Beck, which joins this one a bit to the West. The North beck passes through its own gap in the Burton Cliff, and on to join the Forty Foot Drain beyond Hale Fen. But this is undoubtedly a natural river, the meanders and turns, and that cut through the Burton Cliff, attest to that.

The bridge, once locally known as the Roman Bridge is of unknown origin. One school of thought associates it with the Monks of Sempringham, and gives a date of 1250. But the county archaeologist dates it to the 17th or 18th century based upon the method of construction... and the width.

Although styled a packhorse bridge, the 3 metre width suggests it was built for carts, and this further reinforces the 17th century idea. The whole estate hereabouts, was purchased in 1612 by a Mr George Gilson, and it may be that his improvements included this bridge.

The North Beck was "improved" in 1969 by the then Lincolnshire River Authority, when the large concrete revetments were added below the original bridge to compensate. This work was improved, and the bridge pointing restored, in 2004.

This is Lincolnshire county monument LI89, a grade II listed structure (Link ) and a scheduled ancient monument (Link )

Created: Tue, 27 Mar 2018, Updated: Sat, 1 Dec 2018