Seven Holes bridge, Earith. Photo c.1930 D G Reid

Seven Holes Bridge, Earith

History of the Seven Holes Bridge

The Seven Holes Bridge replaced a nine hole bridge that was probably first built in the 1630s.

Mike Petty notes in Fenland History:

A causeway linked Haddenham with Earith, where the two Bedford Rivers join the Great Ouse.

A Seven Holes Bridge was constructed across the Old Bedford River in 1824 but the fence on the top of the parapet was constructed at the expense of Mr Tom Benton of Earith. A spirited horse that he was driving in a light cart shied at the bridge and jumped the parapet, taking the cart with it. There happened to be a boat moored nearby from which he was saved from drowning.

As a result of the accident Mr Benton paid for the rails to be erected and caused a boat to be permanently moored there as long as he lived. [C.F. Tebbutt. Bluntisham-cum-Earith. 1941]