The 17th century Sheepwash Bridge, spanning the River Wye at Ashford-in-the-Water, Derbyshire, England. This former packhorse bridge was later used for was washing sheep, hence its current name. The lambs were taken across the bridge and placed in the attached stone pen, the ewes were then released from the opening on the opposite side of the bridge, and they would swim across the river to their lambs and in so doing, their fleece was washed prior to shearing.