Monument record MDO8677 - Christchurch Town Bridge

The Avon is crossed by Castle St. over a stone bridge with low arches and pointed cut-waters, apparently Medieval. (1-6) One of the two bridges over the Avon at Christchurch is a good example of 15th or 16th century work. Town Bridge classified as Grade I listed building and lies within a conservation area. Documentary evidence for repair and maintenance (7 & 8) This bridge has six stone arches, one of which has been blocked up. The arches are semicircular in shape and have double arch-rings, built in two orders. The bridge was widened about 10 ft. on the upstream side about 1900, and the present width is now 25ft. between parapets. (2) In a good state of preservation, the description of the bridge given in auth.2 being correct. See ground photograph. (3) No change. (4) (SZ 16089276) Town Bridge (NAT) (5) Town Bridge, Grade 1. Built of ashlar, of 15th-16th century date. (6) Scheduled. (7)

<1> The Victoria history of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 5, 83 (Monograph). SWX3997.

<2> Jervoise, E, 1930, The Ancient Bridges of the South of England, p76 (Monograph). SWX3998.

<3> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, 15-JUL-54 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<4> Aldsworth, F G, Various, Field Investigators Comments FGA, F2 FGA 31-MAR-69 (Unpublished document). SWX1161.

<5> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 1:1250, 1975 edition OS map (Map). SWX1844.

<6> 1978, List of ancient monuments in England: Southern England, p84 (Monograph). SWX1558.

<7> Chandler, J and James, S E, 2000, Proposed Environmental Improvement Scheme, Town Bridge (Scheduled Monument 830), Christchurch, Dorset: Archaeological Impact Assessment (Unpublished document). SWX8623.

<8> DOE (HRR), 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: Borough of Christchurch 1976, p22 (Scheduling record). SWX4475.

Record last edited

Jan 18 2024 4:48PM