Spences Bridge Attractions

The little township of Spences Bridge lies about 30 minutes by car down the valley from Ashcroft by a bridge over the Thompson River built by Thomas Spence in 1864. This is where Highway 8 turns southeast and follows the valley of the Nicola River, with its cattle rearing and fruit growing, to Merritt 65 km (40 mi.) away by the new Coquila Highway. Farmers offer their seasonal produce for sale at roadside stalls. In 1905 there was a powerful landslide, the scars of which can still be seen today, which claimed the lives of eighteen people. An Indian village was destroyed and the Thompson River blocked for several hours.