Turnpikes and Toll Bridges
Clifton Bridge
Map published by Ordnance Survey Office, Southampton in 1881
Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland
The natural rock shoals which lay just below water level at this point on the river afforded an ideal fording place. They also, for many years, hindered vessels passing towards Abingdon and Oxford so goods were shipped via Burcot as being the highest easily navigable point on the river. In winter, with more water running, a ferry woud be brought into operation. It appears that this combination of ford and ferry had been the norm since as early as the fifteenth century. By 1835 various measures had been taken to improve navigation, but this made it more difficult for cattle to be driven across the ford so a bridge became a necessity.
In 1861 Henry Hucks Gibbs, a governor of the Bank of England, inherited the manor of Clifton Hampden upon the death of his father and also bought the ferry rights from the then owner, Exeter College. He put up the money to both build a bridge and obtain the necessary Act of Parliament which was passed in 1864. The respected architect, George Gilbert Scott (knighted in 1872), was engaged to design the bridge. His other notable designs include the Martyrs' Memorial in Oxford, the Midland Hotel at St Pancras Station, and the Albert Memorial in London. The motivation behind the building of the bridge may be explained by a story quoted here courtesy of John Eade and taken from his website 'Where Thames Smooth Waters Glide'.
'Henry Hucks Gibbs had been entertaining George Gilbert Scott, and had complained to him that those of his domestic and estate staff who lived in Long Wittenham were often late for work having missed the ferry. Scott is said to have shot his linen shirt cuff and drawn on it with a pencil, out-lining a design for a seven-arched bridge, altered later to six arches, the building of which would leave the staff with no excuse for lateness.'
Courtesy of John Eade
Richard and Mrs.Casey
Courtesy of John Eade
Courtesy of John Eade
Richard and Mrs.Casey
Courtesy of John Eade
The Act of Parliament allowed for the cessation of the ford and ferry and the construction of a bridge across the Thames at a point where the ferry crossed from the left bank. Further sanctioned works included making an approach road through Long Wittenham, on the one side, and Clifton Hampden on the other. The bridge was built in red bricks which were made from local clay and fired in kilns on Gibbs' land. A local man, Richard Casey, was the builder. When the toll house was completed he lived there with his wife and acted as toll keeper.
The bridge was opened in 1867 and had cost a total of £3,617-15s-10d of which no less than £686-12s-6d was for Parliamentary expenses and fees. It operated under private ownership until 1946 when the Oxfordshire and Berkshire County Councils joined together to buy it and make it toll-free. The toll house still stands and is occupied as a private dwelling, appearing largely unchanged from when first built.
Undated postcard, image circa 1910, unknown publisher (ref. 6954)
Author's collection
Undated postcard circa 1930/40, unknown publisher
Author's collection
Undated postcard circa 1960, published by J.Salmon Ltd. (ref. 2-35-02-20)
Author's collection
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In 1842 George Henry Gibbs, father of Henry Hucks Gibbs, inherited several estates as heir to two female cousins namely Aldenham House and other estates in Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Oxfordshire and Berkshire, and in Lambeth, Surrey. With these properties he became lord of the manors of North Moreton in Berkshire, Burston in Hertfordshire, and Clifton Hampden. Sadly he died a few months later, hence his son Henry Hucks Gibbs began a long family association with Clifton Hampden. It is interesting to note that George Henry Gibbs, amongst other business interests, had been from August 1833 an original director of the Great Western Railway and member of the London Committee. He was therefore closely associated with the early days of the GWR and his diary of the time was published in serial form in the Great Western Railway Magazine between 1909 and 1910, later to be collected and published by them as a booklet
Printed by W.H.Smith & Son circa 1912 and published by the Great Western Railway Magazine.
Author's collection with a foreword by his grandson, the Rt. Hon. Lord Aldenham. There is also a connection to Brunel in that Gibbs, Bright & Co. owned and operated the famous S.S. Great Britain between 1852 and 1881. It then passed to Antony Gibbs & Sons until 1886, operating mainly to Australia.
In 1971 Adams & Dart of Bath published a hard back book
Author's collection The Birth of the Great Western Railway – Extracts from the Diary and Corresponence of George Henry Gibbs. This book was edited by Jack Simmons and contained the complete text from the original GWR publication with the addition of a preface, introduction, and explanatory notes by the editor.
