Origin of the name Hanging Bridge
Many people think that the origin of the name Hanging Bridge is due to the bridge being the site where some Jacobite soldiers were hanged in 1745. This is not true; the name of Hanging Bridge goes back much further in time and has nothing to do with executions.
There has been a crossing point for the River Dove around Hanging Bridge for thousands of years. Initially it may have been a fording point, or a causeway used by Bronze Age people as it links the shortest path across the floodplain. We have evidence of Roman Roads converging on the Hanging Bridge area and several medieval routes that also crossed the River Dove around Hanging Bridge.
The earliest references to Hanging Bridge date back to around 1296 when it was known as Le Hongindebrugge. The following extract gives further details of the evolution of the name over the centuries.
The name seems to have come from its construction rather than its criminal justice function. It is not just the name of bridge itself but also the area around it. It is the main crossing point of the River Dove north of Uttoxeter for traffic. It has been rebuilt and repaired many times over the centuries and the bridge you can see now is the composition of at least 3 bridges that have been built on top of each other.
Hanging Bridge is a fascinating piece of history, and the Heritage Group is putting a lot of effort into uncovering its history and development. All information will be posted on this website so keep returning to find out more.
