Essex Bridge () is a Grade I listed packhorse bridge over the River Trent near Great Haywood, Staffordshire, England.

Spanning the Trent 100 metres downstream of its confluence with the River Sow, it was built in the late sixteenth century by the Earl of Essex a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I. The Earl lived nearby at Chartley Castle. It is now the longest remaining packhorse bridge in England with fourteen of its original forty round span arches left, and has been described as "perhaps the least altered old bridge in the county"

Essex Bridge, Staffordshire

The bridge carries the long-distance footpath The Staffordshire Way over the River Trent, linking the Trent and Mersey Canal tow-path with the bridleway through the Shugborough estate to Cannock Chase.

Essex Bridge, Staffordshire

The bridge is also a scheduled monument.

Essex Bridge, Staffordshire

See also

List of Grade I listed buildings in Staffordshire

List of crossings of the River Trent

Listed buildings in Colwich, Staffordshire

References

External links

Grade I listed bridges

Grade I listed buildings in Staffordshire

Bridges across the River Trent

Bridges completed in 1550

Packhorse bridges

Bridges in Staffordshire

1550 establishments in England