Bransford Bridge - Layby - A4103

Many thanks to the folks at Bransford Bridge  for facilitating this camera's location and to Worcestershire County Council  for capitally funding its installation.  Please click here for flooding information regarding this location.  The Bransford Bridge, a historical bridge dating back to the Imperial period, was located approximately 200 meters northwest of Bransford Spinney. Unfortunately, the bridge was demolished in the 1960s during road widening efforts. The expansion of the A5 over Bransford Bridge in 1961 led to the removal of the old bridge. This demolition process attracted significant attention, as there were indications, mentioned in Bloxam's reference, of a potential Anglo-Saxon cemetery in the vicinity. However, no significant discoveries were made during the excavation, and the only traces of the site are a few letters and artifacts found in Warwick Museum. These artifacts include an iron nail, an upper leather shoe, an iron vessel, and a timber fragment.The etymology of the name "Bransford" remains uncertain, but it is believed to derive from "hill-top ford" or "ford at Bragen." This interpretation is based on the combination of "braegen," an Old English term referring to the crown of the head or a topographical hill, and "ford." In the Domesday Book, Bransford was referred to as Bradnesforde and contained information about Urso from the Pershore Church and mill. Notably, Bransford was the residence of Wulstan de Bransford, the Bishop of Worcester from 1338 to 1349.Following the implementation of the Poor Law Amendment Act in 1834, Bransford Parish was no longer responsible for the welfare of the poor within its boundaries. This responsibility was transferred to the Martley Poor Law Union. In the 1870s, Bransford was described as a chapelry in the Leigh parish of Worcestershire. It was situated on the banks of the River Teme, adjacent to the Malvern railway, and located 4.5 miles southwest by west of Worcester.