Description and History of Site:-
Also known as the Country Bridge it carries the A67 over the River Tees.It is difficult to determine when the masonry bridge was built although its appearance would suggest the mid sixteenth century. However there is reference to a bridge in 1327 and again in 1421 Leland in 1540 described Barnard Castle Bridge as being very fair of three arches but the present bridge has only two arches. The date stone built into the bridge parapet has E.R.1596 inscribed on it but Hutchinson says that this was recarved incorrectly and that the date should have been 1569. Late eighteenth century engravings show a chapel on the central pier of the bridge. The bridge survived the flood of 17 November 1771 which was so severe that it destroyed houses on the southern bank and removed about 4m of earth. Traffic lights control traffic over the 4.9m wide bridge and although the two arches of 12.2m and 11.13m each have five ribs which give the appearance of strength it has a 7.5 tonne weight restriction. - Included in the Hatcher card index who noted that:- Situated right under the castle. Two pointed arches of 4 orders. Small even voussoirs. Ribs under arches not chamfered. One flat triangular cutwater. Strange corbelled pendentive at castle end.
Further Reading and References:-
Morris, C H. Bridges over the Tees. Research Report No. 7, Cleveland Industrial Archaeology Society, 2000.
Jervoise, E. The ancient bridges of the north of England. Architectural Press, 1931; reprinted by E P Publishing, 1973.
YAHS - Hatcher Card Index. Research funded by the Yorkshire Arts Association 1972.
Hatcher, J. The Industrial Architecture of Yorkshire. Phillimore, 1985.
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Key Words :- river masonry bridge road
Viewing the Site :- Can be viewed from the public road or footpath
Address :- Bridgegate, Startford, Barnard Castle, Durham, DL12 8PX
Grid Ref :- NZ 04801 16388
Co-ordinates :- Lat 54.542732 , Long -1.927304
Local Authority :- Durham County Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - North Riding
Site Status :- Scheduled Ancient Monument SAM
Site Condition :- Operational site, in use for original purpose
Contributor :- Charles Morris - 19 January 2016
Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Charles Morris
Grid Ref :- NZ 04801 16388
Co-ordinates :- Lat 54.542732 , Long -1.927304
Local Authority :- Durham County Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - North Riding
Site Status :- Scheduled Ancient Monument SAM
Site Condition :- Operational site, in use for original purpose
Contributor :- Charles Morris - 19 January 2016
Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Charles Morris