Another bridge over the river Wye. This time the sheep-wash bridge at Ashford-in-the-Water. It must be the most photographed bridge in Derbyshire.
It is a packhorse bridge and the unusual feature is the attached stone sheep-wash to the left of the photo. The river is wider but shallow at this point. This is how sheep were washed in the water before chemical dips were introduced. Lambs were kept in the walled pen on one side which enticed ewes to swim across the river to the opposite side. At a midway point the shepherd would push them underwater to clean their fleeces before being sheared.
John's Postcards 
Nice photographs.
Many years ago I had a picnic there next to the river! I didn’t know about the lamb pen and sheep dipping. Very interesting.
Cheers
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Yes a lovely spot for a picnic.
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What a lovely bridge! I haven’t visited Ashford-in-the-Water before; I must put it on the itinerary for our next holiday in the Peaks.
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Lovely bridge, the photos are wonderful
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