This bridge almost certainly originally had five arches spanning the River Wey, with two smaller ones on either side of a higher central arch, but if it did the central arch was removed well over a century ago and replaced by the curious five bar gate contraption we can see in the images above and below. Eventually the modern railings and a concrete span or lintel (shown on the 2018 photographs lower down the page) were installed.

The bridge can be accessed from Meadrow via a narrow private road, which is only accessible to non-residents on foot, or by other footpaths from the Catteshall area. The towpath from central Godalming to Guildford runs alongside the River Wey; it is now used by walkers and cyclists as well as horse drawn barges.

A National Trust sign beside the bridge tells us that "it probably formed the entrance drive to Unstead park and was built some time between 1760 and 1782"^[1]. Both the Manor Inn and Tiltham's house are slightly downstream, towards Guildford, and the NT tells us that the former was built on the site of a tanyard whilst the latter property was possibly built for the tannery owner. The Ordnance Survey map of Godalming, dated 1872, does not show evidence of a tannery. However, the following sale notice was published in 1864 and bears out the NT's claim:

The Meadrow Tan Works, Godalming, Surrey, together with the costly modern Machinery and Plant.
TO BE DISPOSED OF BY PRIVATE CONTRACT, the valuable FREEHOLD TANNERY, known as the MEADROW TAN WORKS, situate at GODALMING, SURREY, occupying site of about five acres, bounded on one side by the navigable river Wey, on the other side by the turnpike-road, and within little more than a mile of two railway stations.The works, which acquired a high repute for the character of their manufacture under the management of their former proprietor, Mr. Nichols, were almost entirely rebuilt by the late proprietor, Mr. Gibson, in the year 1854, and fitted with approved modern plant and machinery. There are upwards of 500 pits ... [Among the buildings listed were a] manager's residence, and five cottages for work people, with gardens^[2].

The riverside tannery was, in its day, a very large business and would have made full use of the river to transport materials in and goods out.

There were five bar hinged gates attached to the upper central section of the bridge in 1898, with some kind of mechanism at the bottom. The road across the bridge appears to be angle iron that probably supports planks. Compared with the strength and bulk of the rest of the bridge the side rails look decidedly flimsy. They possibly represent a temporary repair, or were designed to be easily removable. Further information would be welcomed.

The name "Trowers Bridge" derives from the surname Trower. Hutches Trower Esq. (1777-1835) lived at Unstead Wood, formerly Farley Hill, from 1800 when Capt. Pierrepont, R.N. conveyed the property to him. Trower served as both a Deputy Lieutenant of the county and also (1820) was the Surrey's Sheriff^[3]. He passed away at Unstead Wood on 5th June 1835^[4].

This postcard is labelled Unstead Bridge. A painting of the bridge, by Phyllis Nelson, was for sale a few years ago. It was entitled 'Unstead Bridge, Farncombe' and was painted in 1945^[5] and shows a much flimsier central section to the bridge, before the current railings and lintel were put in place. This raises the possibility that it was designed to be moveable.

References:

^[1] See both the sign itself and Exploring Surrey's Past: Trowers Bridge, Godalming.

^[2] Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser, 9 September 1864 - sale notice. This was one of numerous advertisements. It was re-advertised in 1866. In 1870 the plant and machinery, as well as the tannery's building materials, were for sale (Surrey Advertiser, 12 March 1870). This was the end of the road for Meadrow Tannery.

^[3] From "A Topographical History of Surrey", Edward Wedlake Brayley & John Britton (1844). The Geological Section by Gideon Mantell, L.L. D. F.R.S., etc. The Illustrative Department under the superintendence of Thomas Allom, M. I. B. A. Published Dorking by Robert Best Ede and London by David Bogue, Fleet Street.

^[4] "John Bull", 15 June 1835. On the 5th inst., his residence, Unsted Wood, near Godalming, Hutches Trower, Esq, aged 58.
His Will is held at TNA (PROB 11/1851/190). He was survived by his wife Penelope Frances, whom he had married in 1912. By 1844 the Right Hon. Lord John Russell, M.P. was the occupier of Unstead-Wood.

^[5] Advertisement of an art dealer, selling the 1945 painting.