Bridge Name: Winsford Packhorse Bridge
No.: 17
Location: Winsford SS 9057 3516
Build Date: probably medieval in origin. It was restored in 1952 following flood damage.
Engineer:
Description:
Packhorse Bridge (over river Exe). Listed Grade 2*. Picturesque narrow stone bridge with footway about 3 feet 6 inches wide with cobbles and stone parapets. It was restored following 1952 flood damage. Two semicircular head arches. Ancient Monument. [3]
The narrow bridge across the Exe at SS 9057 3516, some 40 metres west of the main bridge (Vicarage Bridge), is as described. Nonetheless, even allowing for some alteration in 1952, it is rather ornamental in appearance being built of coursed till-like stones. Also it is rather narrow for a packhorse bridge, and its parapets at 0.9 metres is rather high. More probably a footbridge than a packhorse bridge. [4]
Packhorse bridge close to Vicarage Bridge (MSO8542) at Winsford. It has two semicircular arches with a total span of about 30 feet.The width between the parapets is 3 feet 6 inches. This may be the bridge referred to as having been recently “re-edificed” in the Quarter Sessions of 1628. 2
References:
1. Exmoor National Park HER MSO8541
2. THe Ancient Bridges of the South of England – Jervoise
<3> Department of the Environment, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest , MHLG (Prov HHR) Dulverton RD Somer (September 1955) 22 (Index). SMO5109.
<4> Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigators Comments, CF Wardale, 8 July 1986 (Unpublished document). SMO5103