GCKQJV Duck Bridge (North Yorks) (Traditional Cache) in United Kingdom created by Omega2

This cache has been archived.

Alba15: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.

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Alba15
Volunteer UK Reviewer geocaching.com

GCKQJV ▼

A cache by Omega2 Message this owner

Hidden : 10/5/2004

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

The co-ordinates were changed on 20 Nov 2004.

It is not called Duck Bridge because it was built to allow ducks to walk over the River Esk! It is on Castle Lane near Danby and when it was first built in 1345 AD, it was called Castle Bridge. It is a packhorse bridge and provided access to Danby Castle. Stone mason George Duck restored the bridge in 1715 AD and he was paid £10-7-6d (£10.38).

The first Lord of Danby Manor was Robert de Brus, who was an ancestor of Robert the Bruce. The de Brus family were Lords of the Manor from around the time of the Norman Conquest until 1270 AD. The de Brus castle was probably at Castleton. Several other families were later Lords of Skelton, Danby and Guisborough, including de Thwenge, de Latimer, de Neville (of Raby), Dawney and Downe. The bridge bears the coat of arms of the de Neville family.

Less than half a mile to the south west is the castle. What is left of Danby Castle was probably built by the Nevilles. It has few remains and is now part of a working farm with no “official” access to the public. It has a connection with Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII. Catherine was the daughter of Sir Thomas Parr of Kendal Castle. After marrying Mr. Burghe, she became a widow at the age of sixteen and married John Neville, the third Lord Latimer. When she was again a widow, she married King Henry VIII. Less than two months after Henry died, Catherine married Lord Seymour with "indecorous haste". It sounds like she was probably addicted to wedding cake. The only evidence that Catherine lived at Danby Castle is an inscription on the rear of a painting of her which used to be at Danby Lodge. She probably lived at Snape Castle.

If you want a walk, there is a large car park at Danby Lodge, the tourist information centre which is less than a half a mile north west of the bridge. It closes at either 16:00 or 17:00 hrs, depending on the day of the week. It sells food, drink and ice cream. There is room for several cars to park at Duck Bridge.