Survey Data
Reg No
12312010
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Technical
Original Use
Bridge
In Use As
Bridge
Date
1740 - 1760
Coordinates
255259, 149265
Date Recorded
18/05/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Seven-arch rubble limestone road bridge over river, built 1763. Random rubble limestone walls with cut-stone triangular cut-waters to piers, and squared limestone coping to parapets. Series of seven round arches with limestone ashlar quoined voussoirs having double keystones, and rubble limestone soffits having replacement cement render, c.1975, over. Sited spanning River Nore with grass banks to river.
Appraisal
An elegantly-composed bridge attributable to George Smith (fl. 1763-7) representing an important element of the mid eighteenth-century civil engineering or transport heritage of Bennettsbridge. Exhibiting instances of expert stone masonry Classically-derived details including quoined voussoirs incorporating double keystones contribute a formal quality enlivening the architectural significance of the composition while the traditional construction in locally-sourced rubble limestone produces a contrasting, almost rustic visual effect serving to enhance the position of the bridge as a landmark spanning the River Nore.