It was once a significant stop on the now disused and abandoned Monmouth to Ross-on-Wye railway, and is now known for a popular canoe-launching site.

The single-track bridge was built by Edward Finch of Chepstow and was 133 metres (436 ft) long.

Goods services continued to run until 1964, when the bridge was demolished, leaving the masonry abutments.

Due to its location in the geographical centre Kerne Bridge is the name of a local government ward of Herefordshire Council.

Kerne Bridge Ward contains five parishes, they are: Walford, Goodrich, Whitchurch, Welsh Bicknor and Ganarew.