[1] The building of the bridge, which started in 1305 and took several years, is listed as costing over £21 (equivalent to £23,000 in 2023), largely paid for by the monks of Bolton Abbey for their carts to be able to cross the river.

[2][3][4][note 1] Evidence seems to suggest that the bridge was built on dry land, and then the river diverted to run underneath it, a common practice with bridge-building in those times.

[8][6] Historically, it was the only crossing of the river for miles around, and was known throughout the area as Aire-brigg, or Ayrebridge (the Aire Bridge).

[10][12] The stone used is mainly ashlar, but also some gritstone rubble, and the bridge shows signs of much repair in the stonework.

[20] Flooding had long been recognised as a problem in the low-lying land around Kildwick Bridge; the creation of the turnpike road in the 1780s awarded a contract to a local man to build a causeway on the south side leading up to the bridge, which had small tunnels underneath to allow floodwater to pass through.