River Thames tolls between village and town

Sunday, 01 May 2011 09:00

How much did it cost to walk over a bridge in 1792? ½d, thats all! It got more expensive the heavier the "vehicle" - whether an afs or horfe.

But horfes that were drawing Barges into the lock were exempt - that's OK then .....

Whitchurch Toll Bridge, built in 1792 and owned by a "Company of Proprietors" was originally of timber construction.  It is now iron (built 1902) and in need of repair.

Whitchurch Bridge, below Whitchurch Lock

We walked over the bridge towards Whitchurch. There is a lovely view into the Mill Pool with the church of St Mary the Virgin peeping over the roof tops.

The Mill Pool

Nowadays, pedestrians do not have to pay a toll, but cars do - 40p. The Toll House dates from the bridge's original construction.

Toll House and booth

We were amused to see that the toll bar was still celebrating the Royal Wedding with pics of William and Catherine -  sorry, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It was a wonderful occasion and we were glad we had a TV signal!

Royal toll bar

We followed the path to St Mary's Church. It initially goes alongside the Mill Pool and then branches right through a narrow gap. The Church is of Saxon origin, enlarged in the Middle Ages. Further alterations followed through the years until it took on its more familiar form in 1801. However, it was further  transformed in the late C19 and early C20.

St Mary's Church

The interior has memorials to local families, the Lybbes (of Hardwick House) and the Whistlers. See more photos in our photo album.

Greyhound Pub

The Greyhound pub looked attractive, but we had some shopping to do, so returned over the bridge. Barge Louisa was on her way upstream - African Queen was waiting below the lock. I am not sure that they could fit in the lock together!

Barge Louisa

Our final view from the bridge was of the weir stream, with a little island in the middle. This is where the River Pang enters the Thames. The Pang runs through Pangbourne.

Weir stream

It is joined by the River Bourne before arriving here: hence the name of the village on the south bank, which is now an extended commuter town. The water voles that inhabit the Pang are thought to have been the inspiration for Kenneth Grahame's Ratty in Wind in the Willows. His cottage is by the church - St James the Less. Once a fashionable riverside resort, Pangbourne is now a good place to shop with small independent traders and a Co-op in the centre of town.

So we had explored, shopped and enjoyed the sunshine - it was time to move. You may be surprised where we are now!