An Elizabethan stone bridge which features in the classic Thomas Hardy novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles has partially collapsed.
Wool Bridge in Dorset features in a dramatic scene in Hardy's 1891 book, but part of the wall slumped into the River Frome...
One of England's finest Elizabethan bridges which featured in Tess of the D'Urbervilles collapses into the river it carried people over for more than 400 years
Wool Bridge in Dorset featured in a dramatic scene in Thomas Hardy's 1891 novel
It was where Angel Clare picked up Tess, carried her over and put her in a coffin
But part of the 16th-century bridge slumped into the River Frome
By Tim Stickings For Mailonline
16 January 2018
An Elizabethan stone bridge which features in the classic Thomas Hardy novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles has partially collapsed.
Wool Bridge in Dorset features in a dramatic scene in Hardy's 1891 book, but part of the wall slumped into the River Frome yesterday.
The bridge is where a sleepwalking Angel Clare picks up Tess Durbeyfield and, moaning that his wife is dead, carries her over the bridge into the churchyard, where he lays her in a coffin.
The Grade II listed overpass is also connected to Woolbridge Manor which was the real-life setting for Tess and Angel's ill-fated honeymoon.
A large crack had appeared in the structure over Christmas, but the curved bridge's six arches remain intact.
The Grade II listed Wool Bridge in Dorset features in a dramatic scene in Hardy's 1891 book, but part of the wall slumped into the River Frome yesterday
A large crack had appeared in the structure over Christmas, but the curved bridge's six arches remain intact
The 16th century bridge has been sealed off so architects can examine what caused its collapse, since traffic was banned from it several years ago and it is only used by pedestrians.
To protect the bridge from further erosion, large bags of aggregate will be lifted by crane into the river.
It is unclear what caused it to collapse although a crack had developed over Christmas.
Longer term repair works will not be able to take place until the summer when weather conditions are better.
The Thomas Hardy Society has expressed its sadness at the demise of the 'iconic' bridge.
Secretary Mike Nixon said: 'In the novel Angel carries Tess over this bridge and lays her in the coffin.
The 16th Century bridge has been sealed off so architects can examine what caused its collapse, since traffic was banned from it several years ago and it is only used by pedestrians
'It is a massively iconic bridge in Thomas Hardy literature and it is a very sad loss.
'It really is very, very important and we hope it can be repaired and restored to its former glory.'
Peter Wharf, a local councillor, said: 'It's a very sad sight because it is a particularly beautiful bridge. It's very important.
'There are some very visible cracks in the bridge.
'It hasn't been open to traffic for a while, so it is reasonably safe. We don't understand what's caused it, because there has been no traffic going over it for a few years.
'We'll be taking every step to make sure it is safe, and that it is fixed.
'We are very hopeful the bridge is repairable. The fact it has managed to survive 500 years indicates we can do something to make to stay for 500 more.'
The bridge, pictured intact in 2004, is where a sleepwalking Angel picks up Tess and carries her over the bridge into the churchyard where he lays her in a coffin
The Thomas Hardy Society has expressed its sadness but longer term repair works will not be able to take place until the summer when weather conditions are better
Woolbridge Manor was once owned by descendants of Sir Payne de Turberville, who arrived in England during the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Wellbridge House, as Hardy called the manor, is where Tess confesses to Angel she is not a virgin having once been raped, which he is unable to handle.
Wool Bridge is currently owned by the Weld family whose Lulworth Estate extends over 20 square miles of the south Dorset countryside.
There is a stone inset halfway along it that states anyone who defaces or damages the bridge will be transported for the rest of their lives to Australia.
During the Second World War, the end arches of the bridge were widened and the parapets removed so tanks could get through.
Read more: Bridge from Tess Of The D'Urbervilles slumps into river | Daily Mail Online
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Wool Bridge in Dorset features in a dramatic scene in Hardy's 1891 book, but part of the wall slumped into the River Frome...
One of England's finest Elizabethan bridges which featured in Tess of the D'Urbervilles collapses into the river it carried people over for more than 400 years
Wool Bridge in Dorset featured in a dramatic scene in Thomas Hardy's 1891 novel
It was where Angel Clare picked up Tess, carried her over and put her in a coffin
But part of the 16th-century bridge slumped into the River Frome
By Tim Stickings For Mailonline
16 January 2018
An Elizabethan stone bridge which features in the classic Thomas Hardy novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles has partially collapsed.
Wool Bridge in Dorset features in a dramatic scene in Hardy's 1891 book, but part of the wall slumped into the River Frome yesterday.
The bridge is where a sleepwalking Angel Clare picks up Tess Durbeyfield and, moaning that his wife is dead, carries her over the bridge into the churchyard, where he lays her in a coffin.
The Grade II listed overpass is also connected to Woolbridge Manor which was the real-life setting for Tess and Angel's ill-fated honeymoon.
A large crack had appeared in the structure over Christmas, but the curved bridge's six arches remain intact.
The Grade II listed Wool Bridge in Dorset features in a dramatic scene in Hardy's 1891 book, but part of the wall slumped into the River Frome yesterday
A large crack had appeared in the structure over Christmas, but the curved bridge's six arches remain intact
The 16th century bridge has been sealed off so architects can examine what caused its collapse, since traffic was banned from it several years ago and it is only used by pedestrians.
To protect the bridge from further erosion, large bags of aggregate will be lifted by crane into the river.
It is unclear what caused it to collapse although a crack had developed over Christmas.
Longer term repair works will not be able to take place until the summer when weather conditions are better.
The Thomas Hardy Society has expressed its sadness at the demise of the 'iconic' bridge.
Secretary Mike Nixon said: 'In the novel Angel carries Tess over this bridge and lays her in the coffin.
The 16th Century bridge has been sealed off so architects can examine what caused its collapse, since traffic was banned from it several years ago and it is only used by pedestrians
'It is a massively iconic bridge in Thomas Hardy literature and it is a very sad loss.
'It really is very, very important and we hope it can be repaired and restored to its former glory.'
Peter Wharf, a local councillor, said: 'It's a very sad sight because it is a particularly beautiful bridge. It's very important.
'There are some very visible cracks in the bridge.
'It hasn't been open to traffic for a while, so it is reasonably safe. We don't understand what's caused it, because there has been no traffic going over it for a few years.
'We'll be taking every step to make sure it is safe, and that it is fixed.
'We are very hopeful the bridge is repairable. The fact it has managed to survive 500 years indicates we can do something to make to stay for 500 more.'
The bridge, pictured intact in 2004, is where a sleepwalking Angel picks up Tess and carries her over the bridge into the churchyard where he lays her in a coffin
The Thomas Hardy Society has expressed its sadness but longer term repair works will not be able to take place until the summer when weather conditions are better
Woolbridge Manor was once owned by descendants of Sir Payne de Turberville, who arrived in England during the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Wellbridge House, as Hardy called the manor, is where Tess confesses to Angel she is not a virgin having once been raped, which he is unable to handle.
Wool Bridge is currently owned by the Weld family whose Lulworth Estate extends over 20 square miles of the south Dorset countryside.
There is a stone inset halfway along it that states anyone who defaces or damages the bridge will be transported for the rest of their lives to Australia.
During the Second World War, the end arches of the bridge were widened and the parapets removed so tanks could get through.
Read more: Bridge from Tess Of The D'Urbervilles slumps into river | Daily Mail Online
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