River Winster facts for kids
The River Winster is a river found in the English county of Cumbria. For a long time, this river marked the border between the old counties of Lancashire and Westmorland. It flows through a fairly small area, with other streams running alongside it.
The River Winster is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) long. It starts about 2 kilometers south of Bowness-on-Windermere. Its source is between the small villages of Winster and Storrs. Storrs is located right on Windermere lake. The river then flows south, passing through places like Ludderburn, Hartbarrow, and Bowland Bridge. Later, another stream called Arndale Beck joins it at Bridge House.
From Bridge House, the river continues its journey through a valley. This valley lies between two hills, Whitbarrow and Cartmel Fell. The river also flows through a small lake called Helton Tarn. It then passes between the villages of Lindale and Meathop. Finally, the River Winster flows into the Kent estuary. This is a wide river mouth that opens to the sea, located just a bit downstream from Arnside.
What is a Packhorse Bridge?
A packhorse bridge is a special type of bridge. It was built a long time ago for packhorses. These horses were used to carry goods. They would have sidebags or panniers filled with items. The bridges helped them cross over a river or stream safely.
Packhorse Bridges on the Winster
There are two packhorse bridges near the village of Winster. One is called Winster Bridge. It was built in 1729, but its sides were updated in the 1900s. You can find this bridge on the river itself.
Another packhorse bridge is on a smaller stream that flows into the River Winster. This bridge is probably from the 1600s. It is considered a Grade II listed building, which means it is an important historical structure. It is located next to the A5074 road.
