Author: admin

New Bridge (Withypool Bridge )

Posted on by admin

Bridge Name: New Bridge (Withypool Bridge )
No.: 8
Location: Withypool – SS 845 354
Build Date: 19th century
Engineer:

Description: 1681 – paid to John Leay to the repairing of Wythy Poole Bridge 9s 10d  3
A 19th century six-arched stone road bridge over the River Barle at Withypool, which replaced an earlier bridge some 100m upstream. It was restored in 1866 and 1983. Scheduled monument. Listed grade II
This bridge is not noticed by Jervoise, nor can any other reference to it be traced. The map reference identifies the bridge concerned as that which crosses the River Barle just south of Withypool and is called ‘New Bridge’ on OS 6″ 1962. Road bridge over River Barle, C19, restored in 1866 by John Buslin and William Browner and Son, and in 1983 by Somerset County Council. Flat bedded slate, red sandstone chamfered blocks terminating parapet. Six arch bridge, cutwaters between rising to springers of arches continued as buttresses to just below coping of parapet, dressed flat bedded slat to form saddle back coping, parapets raking back and terminating with buttress piers on north east and south west returns. Date 1983 set in pebbles on breakwater. This bridge replaced an earlier bridge some 100m upstream. Scheduled Ancient Monument (Somerset County No 268).1
Shown on OS map as New Bridge. Road bridge over River Barle. C18, restored in 1866 by John Buslin and William Browner and Son, and in 1983 by Somerset County Council. Flat bedded slate, red sandstone chamfered blocks terminating parapets. Six arch bridge, cutwaters between rising to springers of arches continued as buttresses to just below coping of parapet, dressed flat bedded slate to form saddle back coping, parapets raking back and terminating with buttress piers on north east and south west returns. Date 1983 set in pebbles on breakwater. This bridge replaced an earlier bridge some 100 m upstream. Scheduled Ancient Monument (Somerset County No 268). 2

References:

1.Exmoor National Park HER – MSO8671
2.Exmoor National Park HER – MSO10797
3.An Early Portion of the Church Warden’s accounts of All Saints, Nynehead (1668- 1684).BY W. DE C. PRIDEAUX, L.D.S. ENG., F.R.S.M.

Landacre Bridge

Posted on by admin

Bridge Name: Landacre Bridge
No.: 6
Location: Landacre SS 73153 39998
Build Date: Origins Medieval. Repairs recorded in 1621
Engineer:

Description: Carries Landacre Lane
Masonary road bridge with five pointed arches and triangular cutwaters to the piers. Substantial repairs were completed in 1828 by John Brewer, a mason from Dulverton. Carries a minor road between Exford and North Molton.1
A probably late medieval stone bridge of five pointed arches, over the River Barle, restored in 1875. Scheduled monument. Listed grade II
2
Landacre Bridge, over the River Barle, has five stone arches. Probably late mediaeval. There is stated to be a record of the bridge having existed in 1610. Graceful stone bridge on five pointed-head arches, cutwater buttresses between arches on each side. Stone parapets. Restored. Road bridge over River Barle. Probably late medieval in origin, restored subsequently and in 1875. Random rubble local stone, 2 courses of rubble voussoirs, saddle back coping of slate bedded onend. Five arch span, pointed arches with cutwaters between risingto parapet, hipped tops, square piers in abutments on downstream side. Scheduled Ancient Monument (Somerset County No 266).2

References:

1.Civil Engineering Heritage by R.A.Otter
2.Exmoor National Park HER – MSO8670

Simonsbath Bridge

Posted on by admin

Bridge Name: Simonsbath Bridge
No.: 3
Location: Simonsbath SS 73153 39998
Build Date:

Engineer:

Description: The bridge at Simonsbath has three segmental arches and has the date 1879 on the parapet. An earlier bridge here was referred to at the Quarter Sessions of 1652. It was like so many others suffering from “great decay”. The village was called “Symondsburrow in Exmoor”1
SS73NE EXMOOR CP SIMONSBATH 11/13 – Simonsbath Bridge at NGR SS 7720 3909 – II Road bridge over River Barle. Medieval in origin, subsequently extensively rebuilt especially after 1952 floods. Flat bedded slate, random rubble voussoirs, slate bedded on end to form saddle back coping. Three arch span. West side 3 semi-circular headed arches, cutwaters rising to spring of arch with flat pilasters above. East side pointed arch central opening, flanked by 2 slightly different semi-circular headed arches, cutwaters between with recessed ledge, parapet rebuilt behind2
” From Exford to Simonsbath Bridge a 4. miles, al by Forest, baren, and morisch ground, where ys store and breading of yong Catelle, but litle or no Come or Habitation. ” There rennith at this place caullid Simonsbath a Ryver betwixt to great Morisch Hilles in a depe Botom, and ther is a Bridge of Woodde over this water. This Water risith by North Weste. “The Water in Somer most communely rennith flat upon stones easy to be passid over, but when Raynes cum and Stormes of Wyntre it ragith and ys depe. ” Alwayes this Streame ys a great deale bygger Water then Ex is at Exford, yet it resortith into Ex Ryver.” 3

References:

1. The Ancient Bridges of the South of England – Jervoise
2. http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1345374
3. Second volume of Leyland’s Intinerary published by Hearne – see History of hundred of Carhampton, in the County of Somerset, from the best authorities by James Savage

Cornham Ford ROW Bridge 3451

Posted on by admin

Bridge Name: Cornham Ford ROW Bridge 3451
No.: 2
Location: SS 73153 39998
Build Date:

Engineer:

Description: Footbridge near Restricted Byway DU 5/19.
A footbridge, constructed from oak beams on stone piers. There are wooden handrails and crossplanks, and stone abutments on both banks are reinforced with concrete. It appears to be late 19th or early 20th Century.
The bridge was surveyed in 2012. The bridge is constructed of oak beams on stone piers, with 32 cross planks and wooden handrails and supports. It is supported on a stone pier in the centre of the river, with stone abutments on both banks supported by concrete. The bridge was estimated to be 19th Century and was noted to sag in the middle. Some signs of repair were also seen. [1] The bridge does not appear on the Ordnance Survey 1st Edition mapping but is shown on the 2nd Edition.

References: Exmoor National Park HER