Could this be the first skew bridge to be built in the country? It's certainly one of the first according to members of the Railway and Canal Historical Society. Built in the 'Canal Mania' years, we'll never know which was first over the line. We have another very early skew bridge; Stenwith Bridge 60. A skew bridge crosses the canal at an angle other than 90 degrees – look at the brick courses on the underside of the arch, then compare with a non-skew bridge. Bridge 62, or more precisely, the lane which it carries over the canal, can be traced back to the Bronze Age. This lane does have an identity crises. Longmoor Lane here; overall it's the Sewstern Lane, part of the Viking Way long distance path, which is also called The Drift in places. This gives us a clue to its other purpose in times past; a drove road. Drovers would drive their herds many hundreds of miles making for the lucrative London markets. Leaving the Great North Road at Long Bennington and rejoining at Colsterworth, the Sewstern Lane, a green lane for much of its way, was the original Grantham bypass, avoiding toll houses! With a sprinkling of supposition; where this lane crosses the Salt Way (Gorse Lane) a short distance farther south, stood an inn. Upon this lonely spot; den of iniquity, The Three Queens, was said to have been the haunt of highwaymen. 'Gentleman' John Nevison and Dick Turpin, both knew the area well. Both were said to have made epic London to York rides in a single day – quite probably using the Sewstern Lane in avoiding Grantham. Neither would have paused on Bridge 62 to admire the view; the canal was yet to be built. These rascals had one more thing in common. Both were to meet their maker at the end of a rope on the Knavesmire (York Racecourse).

SITE OF THE THREE QUEENS