Pershore Bridges - Picnic Area

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Many thanks to the folks at Pershore College  for facilitating this camera's location and to Worcestershire County Council  for capitally funding its installation. Pershore Bridges Picnic Area  in Pershore floods frequently when the River Avon is in spate. Please click here for flooding information regarding this location. This picturesque picnic area, nestled by the waterside, is centered around a medieval bridge and offers amenities such as moorings, a canoe launch, a platform for disabled anglers, an information point, and public toilets. It serves as a starting point for a well-defined, 5-mile circular walk and provides access to the local footpath network. The tranquil waters and scenic banks of the River Avon provide a habitat for a diverse range of plants, animals, birds, insects, and fish. Visitors are likely to encounter graceful swans and Mallard ducks, and may even spot a Sedge Warbler perching on a Bulrush while melodiously singing its song. If fortunate, one might catch a glimpse of the vibrant blue flash of a Kingfisher as it flies low over the water or rests quietly on a branch or reed by the water's edge. The river area is also known to be home to otters and water voles, although spotting them is a rarity. In the summer, keep an eye out for the stunning colors of dragonflies and damselflies hovering above the water.Exploring beyond the immediate vicinity is easily accomplished, as the town is conveniently located within walking distance, and there are several footpaths that extend into the surrounding countryside. The Pershore Bridges themselves hold significant historical value, with evidence suggesting the existence of a river crossing at this location since Saxon times. Throughout the centuries, numerous bridges with various designs and materials have spanned the river, leaving behind visible remnants that form a mosaic of construction styles. Presently, the bridge is designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Detailed information about this captivating site can be found near the bridges, situated on the outskirts of the town.Sections of the current stone bridge can be traced back to 1413 when it was constructed after the wooden bridge became unsafe. The bridge was built by the monks of Pershore Abbey following an incident in which their abbot drowned while attempting to cross the ford. Over time, stones sourced from nearby Elmley Castle and even Pershore Abbey itself have been incorporated into repairs. The road surface initially comprised stone slabs and cobbles, later replaced with a smoother carriage surface in the late 18th century. Eventually, due to its inadequate width for modern traffic demands, a concrete bridge was constructed adjacent to the original bridge in 1926.During the English Civil War, the old bridge witnessed a fierce battle, and in World War II, the area was fortified to defend against a potential German invasion. As a precautionary measure, the Home Defence forces were prepared to demolish the bridges using explosives, although fortunately, such action was never required.The town of Pershore flourished around the grand Pershore Abbey, and remnants of medieval Pershore can still be observed in a number of timber-framed buildings. In the 18th century, the town thrived as a bustling staging post, a center for market trading, and a vital crossing point of the River Avon. The original name of Persche Ora is believed to have originated from the West Saxon and Jutish dialects, signifying an osier (willow) slope.