Category: River Barle Structures

Landacre Bridge

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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

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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

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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