Lion Bridge (Alnwick; Denwick)
(NU 18621382) Lion Bridge. (1)
The Lion Bridge
NU 1813 NE
Grade I listed building.
1773 by John Adam. Ashlar. Three arches and a smaller land arch. Polygonal look outs on each side. Corbelled arcade to crenellated parapet. In the centre on the east side stands the Percy Lion in cast lead. Matching it on the west side was reputedly once a unicorn (symbolising Scotland). Curved approach parapets with close-set petrified stockade over a round section string and circular end piers. Look outs have blind arrow slits with hood moulds; merlons in crenellations. On the central die on the west side is roughly engraved 'Foxy's Leap Au 12 1867' (recording the escape of a militia man).
Spandrels of arches over river have circular panels containing blind shields. The panel on which the lion stands has on the river side, three long shields linked by swags. (Scheduled AM 112). (2)
Bridge. The lion is lead with a cast iron tail. Gothick style. (3)
Lion Bridge, replaced a bridge swept away by floods of 1771. Painted by Turner. (4)
Plan drawn by County Surveyor in 1990 at 1:100 and 1:50 scales for SMC application. (5)
Built by John Adam 1773 for the first Duke of Northumberland as part of his 'improvements' to the castle and park. The bridge has high architectural merit as an early example of Gothick or Gothic Revival Style and is one of a group of near contemporary structures in and around Alnwick regarded as of national importance. Its archaeological value is thought to be low due to repairs and strengthening works carried out in the later 20th century.
The bridge is unaltered, except for a considerable amount of renewal and repair at parapet level, and crude brick patching to the intrados and part of the upstream face of arch C. (6)
Lion repaired and restored to the bridge on 23/3/1993. (7)
Additional References (8-10)
The drawings of Robert Adam, architect of the bridge, do not show anything of the unicorn that is reputed to have stood opposite the famous lion. (11)
Scheduled. (12)
NU 186 139. Lion Bridge. Scheduled No ND/112. (13a)
Additional Reference (13b)
The Lion Bridge
NU 1813 NE
Grade I listed building.
1773 by John Adam. Ashlar. Three arches and a smaller land arch. Polygonal look outs on each side. Corbelled arcade to crenellated parapet. In the centre on the east side stands the Percy Lion in cast lead. Matching it on the west side was reputedly once a unicorn (symbolising Scotland). Curved approach parapets with close-set petrified stockade over a round section string and circular end piers. Look outs have blind arrow slits with hood moulds; merlons in crenellations. On the central die on the west side is roughly engraved 'Foxy's Leap Au 12 1867' (recording the escape of a militia man).
Spandrels of arches over river have circular panels containing blind shields. The panel on which the lion stands has on the river side, three long shields linked by swags. (Scheduled AM 112). (2)
Bridge. The lion is lead with a cast iron tail. Gothick style. (3)
Lion Bridge, replaced a bridge swept away by floods of 1771. Painted by Turner. (4)
Plan drawn by County Surveyor in 1990 at 1:100 and 1:50 scales for SMC application. (5)
Built by John Adam 1773 for the first Duke of Northumberland as part of his 'improvements' to the castle and park. The bridge has high architectural merit as an early example of Gothick or Gothic Revival Style and is one of a group of near contemporary structures in and around Alnwick regarded as of national importance. Its archaeological value is thought to be low due to repairs and strengthening works carried out in the later 20th century.
The bridge is unaltered, except for a considerable amount of renewal and repair at parapet level, and crude brick patching to the intrados and part of the upstream face of arch C. (6)
Lion repaired and restored to the bridge on 23/3/1993. (7)
Additional References (8-10)
The drawings of Robert Adam, architect of the bridge, do not show anything of the unicorn that is reputed to have stood opposite the famous lion. (11)
Scheduled. (12)
NU 186 139. Lion Bridge. Scheduled No ND/112. (13a)
Additional Reference (13b)
N4518
FIELD SURVEY, Lion Bridge 1990; Northumberland County Council
ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY, HISTORIC BRIDGES SURVEY 1992; P RYDER
PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY, HISTORIC BRIDGES SURVEY 1992; P RYDER
ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY, HISTORIC BRIDGES SURVEY 1992; P RYDER
PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY, HISTORIC BRIDGES SURVEY 1992; P RYDER
Disclaimer -
Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.