Sutton Bridge is on the A17 halfway between Spalding and King's Lynn. Unique in its history, it was created out of former salt marshes, which for 400 years or so extended from Long Sutton in Lincolnshire to Walpole Cross Keys on the Norfolk side, a distance of about 5 miles.

In 1632 Cornelius Vermuyden embanked Tydd Marsh. By 1640 he had completed the embankment of Sutton and Lutton Marshes and these are the only sea banks to have been undertaken by the eminent Dutchman.

The ancient deeds of the Bridge Hotel record a farmhouse built in 1637. It was built on the sea bank. There was now a distance of two miles of marsh left and this remained an obstacle to a direct route from Norfolk into Lincolnshire for another 200 years.

In 1746 most of the land on which is what is now Sutton Bridge is built became the property of the Governors of Guy's Hospital, including the farm on the sea bank. Our physicians in those days widely recommending the practice of 'sea bathing' and drinking sea water for various ailments. The farmhouse was ideally situated and, in 1752, it became a 'sea-bathing house' known as the Washway House.

In 1828, the peaceful scene was disrupted by hundreds of 'navigators' (Navvies) who arrived to dig a new outfall for the Nene and to construct an embankment and a bridge, so that at last the direct route from Norfolk into Lincolnshire became possible.

Significantly, by this time the Washway House was called the Ship and Cross Keys Inn. Like local farmers, it suffered depredations when the navvies, often short of provisions, helped themselves to the odd sheep. From the inn on one occasion, they were alleged to have had a gallon of rum, a gallon of gin, a quantity of brandy, a dozen teaspoons, some tablespoons and about a dozen bags of flour etc.

It took about two years for the navvies to dig the new outfall. The famous 'lighthouses', so called were erected to mark the river mouth for inbound shipping. But their candles were never lit. The Navvies then built the embankment which would carry the road over Cross Keys Wash. On 4th July 1831, the first vehicle to travel on the new road was the Norwich to Newark Union Coach. There was a great celebration to mark this event. The new route reduced by 26 miles the former route by way of Wisbech.

The Ship & Cross Keys Inn was extended for its new role as a coaching inn - and it was renamed the Bridge Inn.

With the improvement of the river channel, a port developed. Houses were built for the Customs Officers and Coast Guards, and streets grew up. The small building adjacent to the North side of Garner's flats was the Harbourmaster's office. Shops serving the growing community became the High Street. Then the railway came and the scene changed again for the Bridge Hotel. As well as the line from Spalding to King's Lynn there was a branch line to Wisbech. No doubt passengers would stay at the Bridge Hotel to await their trains.

In 1926, an RAF summer training camp arrived and, in 1938 with the threat of war, became a permanent camp - surely to the delight of local girls, several of whom spent their courting times at the Bridge Hotel and had their wedding receptions there.

In 1933 Sir Peter Scott rented the East bank lighthouse and he too, like many other celebrities, would find the Hotel useful when entertaining his wildfowl friends.

For many years the Bridge Hotel was the venue of choice for many glittering social events, hosting the community for miles around.

In latter years the Bridge Hotel was used as a Hostel and had fallen into disrepair. It had become a dilapidated shell.

The Bridge Hotel has now undergone complete restoration and refurbishment and has a unique combination of the air of tradition combined with up to date facilities with such facilities as the sprung maple dance floor and up to date technology such as Wi-Fi being installed.