What it Looks Like Today:Bampton to Holmingham Farm and 6 Bridges
Bridge 3
On my first visit here I had failed to find this bridge and had left assuming that it had either been demolished or filled in.On my second visit,I decided to take a much closer look and there,quite low down and quite hidden was the tunnel of the bridge.I think what had confused me before was that on some of the old maps,it shows the rail bridge as being joined to the river bridge,but when you look at the river bridge,you can see no sign of the rail bridge,as the rail bridge is actually some distance away.
Anyway,I was quite excited and pleased at finding this bridge and hurriedly climbed into the tunnel to take a closer look,ignoring the nettle stings I got as I went.It looks as though the tunnel has mainly been filled in and been converted to a drain or something,as the addition on the ground looked like what I had seen at the culvert in Tiverton when I was taking pictures for the,"What it Looks Like Today:West Exe Halt" story.
The brickwork is in excellent conditon,as well as the stonework.I just wonder if the people driving over it,have any idea that it is there.At the other end of the tunnel we came out into the field.The farmer has blocked the tunnel off,I imagine to stop sheep going through it,with what looks like a bit of central reservation.Walking up into the field you can see the raised bank that leads to the ruins of Bridge 4.