A unique medieval relic, High Bridge spans the River Witham near the bottom of High Street. The bridge is the oldest medieval bridge in England that still has houses built upon it. High Bridge was built around 1160 to replace an earlier ford across the Witham. It was later enlarged to accommodate a chapel dedicated to Thomas a Becket (demolished in 1763).
In the Tudor period, houses were built upon the western side of the bridge. The narrow opening created by the arch of High Bridge has been called the 'Glory Hole'; it's small, crooked arch sets a limit on the size of boats which can successfully navigate the Witham. In the medieval period the bridge opening was also called the 'Murder Hole', for it was said that bodies thrown into the Witham would wash ashore at this spot.
