The National Trust has submitted plans to Bassetlaw District Council to carry out further preservation and enhancement work on the historic Clumber Bridge in Clumber Park, near Worksop. The 250-year-old Grade II*-listed bridge, which crosses the River Poulter, was severely damaged in 2018 when a car was deliberately driven into it and set alight.
The incident, described by the National Trust as “an act of intentional damage,” led to a £500,000 restoration project that used around two-thirds of the original stonework recovered from the river. While the bridge was successfully rebuilt, traffic has been diverted from using it for the past five years, with bollards recently replacing the large concrete blocks previously installed to prevent vehicle access.
The new application proposes levelling and repaving the bridge while reinforcing the surrounding ground to protect it from erosion. The National Trust stated that the work aims to ensure the bridge remains accessible and safeguarded for future generations.
Clumber Bridge, noted for its “elegantly detailed stonework” by Historic England, is a significant feature of Clumber Park. The National Trust also plans to make the bridge “a more prominent visitor area” within the park.
If the proposals are approved, the work will build on the earlier restoration efforts and further enhance the bridge’s historic and aesthetic value. A decision from Bassetlaw District Council is expected by mid-January.
