Summary

A packhorse bridge, probably medieval in date, with some later restoration.

Description

A packhorse bridge, probably medieval in date, with some later restoration.

MATERIALS
The bridge is constructed from coursed rubble stone, with timber railings.

DESCRIPTION
The bridge, which is six feet (circa 2m) wide and spans 34 feet (circa 10m), is of two spans. It has two pointed, almost straight-sided arches and a central pier, which has a full-height, pointed cutwater on the upstream side; there is no cutwater on the downstream side. It has a kerb of rubble stones set on edge. The C20 timber railings have a single top-rail set diamond-wise, and cantilevered out from the structure of the bridge.

History

The footbridge bridge at Fifehead Neville probably dates from the medieval period. It was constructed as a packhorse bridge, without a parapet, to avoid animals’ side packs hitting as they crossed the bridge. Some restoration has taken place over its long life. A timber handrail was added in the C20.

Reasons for Listing

The medieval packhorse bridge at Fifehead Neville is listed at Grade II* for the following principal reasons:

* Relative date: the bridge is a good survival of a medieval bridge, which, despite later repair, retains the majority of its early fabric;
* Architectural interest: it is a neatly-made structure with very well constructed, pointed arches to the spans;
* Historic interest: its form, without parapets, illustrates clearly how the bridge allowed laden pack animals to cross, before transport of goods by cart became the norm.

External Links

• Historic England Listing

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  London 1: The City of London: City of London v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
• 
  [(Shropshire)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1958)