The Shell Bridge

Along the Mole Gap Trail…

An ornamental 18^th Century bridge.

This stretch of the river contains remnants of an 18th Century designed landscape, possibly by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. Today it has a more natural look and is valued as a Local Nature Reserve and home to a variety of birds, invertebrates and rare plants. The Shell Bridge, faced in flint and decorated with a large scallop shell, is the remnant of the more formal landscape. It connects two of the islands. The river landscape provided the setting for Thorncroft Manor which can be glimpsed through the trees on the right.