Many bridges have stories attached to them, passed on through centuries. Do you know this one? The beautiful Beggars' Bridge straddles the River Esk, an idyllic location in Glaisdale. It's a packhorse bridge built in 1619 by Thomas Ferris.
Thomas started life as the son of a moorland sheep farmer, without much money. He fell in love with Agnes Richardson but her father disapproved of Thomas: he was poor.
The sweethearts continued to meet in secret, with the intrepid Thomas wading across the River Esk to reach her. At some point he decided to go to sea to make his fortune and went to say goodbye to Agnes.
Alas, the river was too high that day so he had to be content with waving farewell from the riverbank. He swore that he'd eventually be rich enough to win her father's approval and to build a bridge in that very spot. And do he did, and of course they all lived happily ever after...
Photo: Paul Kent, North York Moors National Park