Swanzey: Covered Bridges, Cycling and Wilson Pond

Swanzey combines historic covered bridges with opportunities for cycling and water activities. A driving tour of the Monadnock Region can begin in this town, which has four historic covered bridges. For your trip planning, this offers a mix of architectural history, exercise and time at Wilson Pond. When choosing your vacation rental, consider which of these aspects of the town you would like to shape your stay most.

Four Bridges, Each with Its Own History

Slate Bridge lies east of N.H. Route 10 on Westport Village Road, near Westport Village, and crosses the Ashuelot River. It was built in 1862 and rebuilt in 2001 after a fire in 1993. Slate Bridge is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors interested in historic structures will find a site with a clear history of construction and reconstruction.

Thompson Bridge also crosses the Ashuelot River and lies east of N.H. Route 10, on Main Street in West Swanzey. It was built in 1832. Cresson Bridge is on Sawyer's Crossing Road, one mile north of N.H. Route 32, also crossing the Ashuelot River. The present bridge was built in 1859 to replace a bridge that had been built before 1771. These different dates give each of the two bridges its own historical context.

Carlton Bridge lies east of N.H. Route 32 on Carlton Road, half a mile south of Swanzey Village. It crosses the South Branch Ashuelot River. The four bridges are therefore associated with different locations in town: Westport Village, West Swanzey, Sawyer's Crossing Road and Swanzey Village. This may be helpful if you are planning a driving tour of Swanzey and would like to visit each structure in particular.

Cycle or Get Out on the Water

For active outings, sections of the Ashuelot Rail Trail in Swanzey offer cycling opportunities; sections that pass through the covered bridges are especially noted. This adds a view from the bike to the driving tour. If you are weighing different ideas for a day out with your family, the historic structures and cycling can offer two distinct focuses, without requiring you to commit to just one way of exploring.

At Wilson Pond, you can canoe, kayak, swim and fish. There are several water activities to choose from: you can spend time actively out on the water, swim or fish. Together with the bridges and the trail, these offer options for different interests when planning your trip. So when choosing your vacation rental, it may be important to consider whether you are drawn to Swanzey primarily for its structures, cycling or activities at Wilson Pond.

Nearby towns offer more places to explore: Jaffrey, Rindge, Harrisville, Chesterfield, Fitzwilliam and Keene.

For the broader travel overview: Cheshire.