Devil's Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale

The Devil’s Bridge crossing the River Lune at Kirkby Lonsdale is one of England’s finest examples of a medieval bridge, believed to date from the 14th century. Like many “Devil’s Bridges” across Britain and Europe, local legend attributes its construction to Satan himself. The story tells of an old woman whose cow wandered to the opposite bank of the river. Unable to cross the swollen waters, she lamented her situation until the Devil appeared, offering to build a bridge overnight in exchange for the soul of the first living creature to cross it. The woman agreed, assuming she could trick him.

When morning came and the magnificent stone bridge stood complete, the Devil waited eagerly for his payment. However, the cunning old woman threw a crust of bread across the bridge, and her dog ran after it, becoming the first to cross. Furious at being outwitted, the Devil vanished in a cloud of sulfurous smoke, leaving claw marks on the bridge’s stones. The woman and her cow crossed safely, and the bridge has served travelers for over 650 years. Variations of this tale exist at Devil’s Bridges throughout Britain, but Kirkby Lonsdale’s version remains one of the most enduring.

Visitors to the bridge report experiencing sudden temperature drops, the smell of sulfur without any obvious source, and seeing scratch marks on the stones that seem to glow faintly in twilight. Some claim to hear demonic laughter echoing from beneath the arches, particularly on stormy nights. Local folklore warns against crossing the bridge at midnight on Halloween, when the Devil is said to return to claim a soul in compensation for his lost wager. Photographs taken on the bridge occasionally show unexplained red glows and shadow figures lurking near the arches. Whether built by the Devil or medieval craftsmen, the bridge remains a beautiful and eerie landmark steeped in supernatural folklore.