Essex Bridge, Staffordshire
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Essex Bridge (grid reference SJ995225) is a Grade I listed packhorse bridge over the River Trent near Great Haywood, Staffordshire, England.
Lying on the River Trent one hundred yards downstream of the junction with the River Sow, it was built in 1550 by the then Earl of Essex for Queen Elizabeth I so that when she visited the estate she could go hunting in the woodland around the local village.[citation needed] It is now the longest remaining packhorse bridge in England with 14 of its original 40 span arches left.[citation needed]
The bridge carries the long distance footpath The Staffordshire Way over the River Trent, linking the Trent and Mersey Canal tow-path with the bridal way over the Shugborough estate to Cannock Chase.
