Bridges & Beer

By medieval times, a lack of sewage systems meant rivers, streams and wells were often polluted with waste. In areas with dirty water, beer was a safer option — boiling the water during brewing killed the germs. ‘Small beer,’ a weaker version, was even given to children! James Dredge, a local brewer, engineer and architect, built Victoria Bridge in 1836, to move beer across the river without using a ferry.

Bath once had just one bridge. By 1700, there were three, and by the late 1800s, six. How many bridges can you count on your journey along the river?