t the time of writing the Domesday Book, the parishes of Loftsome and Wressle were part of the grand estates of Ralph de Mortimer; Gilbert de Tison. They were known as Loftsome and Weresa.


The castle of Wressle was built in Manor style about 1380 and was known as Percy Castle - the Percy family being the Earls of Northumberland. The Domesday Book lists William de Percy II as having grand estates in Huntingdonshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire.

The Yorkshire estate was known as the Leconfield Estate - the family name being Wyndham. The Wyndams were descendants of the Percys' though the female line. The existing Lord is Baron Leconfield, often known as Baron Egremont.

LOFTSOME, (and Loftsome Bridge), in the parish of Wressle, wapentake of Harthill; 3 miles NW. of Howden, situated near the Derwent, over which it has a wooden bridge constructed so as to admit the passage of vessels.

From early maps it can be seen that the Loftsome premises and ferry existed in the 1500s. The ferry however fell into disuse after the building of the first Loftsome toll bridge, by a consortium of locals, headed by the Earl or Egremont. The charter being granted by King George III.

LOFTSOME, a hamlet consisting of two farms and a cottage, was formerly reputed a separate manor. It lies on the bank of the Derwent, which is here crossed by a bridge, erected in 1800, at a cost of £4,000, raised by 24 shareholders. It is still the property of the company, and a toll is exacted for the passage of man and beast. The floor of the toll-house, at the end of the bridge, is only 22 feet above the level of the sea. The bridge is a swing one, and opens to allow vessels to pass. It was repaired in 1888-9, at an outlay of £1,500. Loftsome is distant about three miles north-west from Howden.

2 shillings	1 Wagon or Coach with 6 horses
1 shilling & threepence	1 Wagon & 2 horses
1 halfpenny	Each foot-passenger

The toll bridge existed until the building of the second Loftsome Bridge in the 1930s.

These premises have endured a number of changes over the years. What is clear from the 1797 and 1811 surveys (P.H.A 3075, 1472) is that in 1797 it was known as the Wheatsheaf Anchor and in 1811 as the Loftsome Bridge Inn. However, in 1811 the Inn and accompanying buildings were described as "on the whole in very moderate repair". It was then restored and continued as an Inn until the turn of the century, when it lapsed from an Inn to a Farmhouse.

In 1969 it was changed from a Farmhouse to a Farmhouse/Bed & Breakfast. This being a success - it was painstakingly renovated to it's present state.