The Devil’s Bridge on the River Lune is situated right on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and is considered to be one of the finest bridges in England of its date.
There is some debate over the dating of Devil’s Bridge. It appears that all the records relating to the construction of the bridge were lost during the reformation in the 16th century. It is thought that it was built by the Abbey of St Mary of York – the earliest documented dates were in 1275 and 1365 when “grants of pontage” for repair were granted.
Legend has it that the Devil appeared to an old woman, and promised to build a bridge in exchange for the first soul to cross over it. It is said that when the bridge was finished, the woman threw bread over the bridge and her dog chased over it, thereby outwitting the Devil.
On the Casterton side of Devil’s bridge there is a stone standing about 3ft high which originally bore the date 1633 and the inscription “Feare God honor the (King)”. It is said to be a Leper or Plague stone.
