Warkworth Bridge (Warkworth)
(NU 24820625) Bridge. (1)
The bridge (at Warkworth) was erected during last quarter of 14th century. It has two segmental arches each having a span of 60ft springing from a mid-river pier and land abutments. The water pier, standing on a stout base of several splayed courses, is hexagonal in shape, being angled towards the course of the river; it is 22ft wide by 40ft to the extreme angles of the pier. The abutments have long wing walls extending up and down the river. The arches are formed of four ribs, the outer ribs being chamfered on their exterior edge. The parapet which encloses the roadway, 11 feet in width, passes round the angle of the pier, and forms a recess for foot passengers on each side of the middle of the roadway. (2)
John Cook of Newcastle who died 1378-9, left 20 marks towards the building of Warkworth Bridge, if it were built within two years from the time of his making his will, otherwise the money was to be given to the bridge of Bywell (7 miles east of Hexham). (3)
The bridge appears to have been in the charge of wardens as far back as the end of the 15th cent as the custodes pontis was recorded as being a tenant in Warkworth in 1498. In 1726 Edward Cook was elected 'Bridge-Master'. (2)
Scheduled. (4)
Archl description in Entry 2 correct. The overall length of the bridge from inside edges of land piers is 43.8m, width between parapet walls 3.5m. The bridge has been braced at its northern end and a wooden fence substituted for western parapet wall, (above the northern arch), which has been removed probably because of its being unsafe. Vertical oak poles mark the perimeter of the land abutment on which the central pier stands. (5)
The bridge is still in a good state of repair but is no longer in use for vehicles, having been replaced by a modern bridge slightly down stream. (6)
I Warkworth Bridge Scheduled Ancient Monument. Said to have been built in 1379. Two segmental arches, triangular cut-waters and refuges all of stone, with 4 heavy ribs, the outer ones chamfered on the face, with a double chamfered outer ring over them. Later widened. (7)
Warkworth Bridge, 1379. Two segmental ribbed arches. Now pedestrian only. (8)
Warkworth Bridge, Grade II. Late 14th century, parapets probably rebuilt in 18th century. Squared stone with cut dressings. Two arches each of 18m span. Central cutwater. (9)
Two arches of 18.2m span. Narrow road, 3.3m wide. (10)
Warkworth Bridge. Graceful, two segmental arched spans. Total span c.154ft. Large central cutwaters. Each arch stiffened by four bold ribs. (11)
One of two fortified bridges of the Middle Ages in Britain (the other at Monmouth). (12)
A pillar bearing the Percy arms once stood on the bridge. (13)
The bridge is of great importance being a medieval structure with a (relatively) secure date, and an important component - the loop of the river - of the defences of a notable Border town.
Architecturally as well as historically this is an important medieval bridge; such repairs as there have been have been confined to the rebuilding of the parapets and the wing walls, and have not affected its character. It should be viewed in conjunction with the gate tower as a composite monument, one of the very few fortified bridges to survive in Great Britain.
Whilst the bridge retains its medieval form and appearance, it would appear that conservation measures and repairs (notably the 1936 filling with reinforced concrete, if in fact this was carried out) have effectively destroyed and sub-surface archaeological materials.
The bridge is of landscape value as part of the unique grouping of buildings at Warkworth, and also in its situation on a wooded stretch of the lower Coquet valley; the mid 20th century road bridge spoils the scene but has spared the medieval bridge a proposed widening. (14)
Until c.1830 a pillar or cross bearing the Percy Arms stood in the east recess (see NU 20 NW 13). (15)
Scheduled. (16)
NU 249 063. Warkworth Bridge and gatehouse. Scheduled No ND/18. (17a)
The bridge (at Warkworth) was erected during last quarter of 14th century. It has two segmental arches each having a span of 60ft springing from a mid-river pier and land abutments. The water pier, standing on a stout base of several splayed courses, is hexagonal in shape, being angled towards the course of the river; it is 22ft wide by 40ft to the extreme angles of the pier. The abutments have long wing walls extending up and down the river. The arches are formed of four ribs, the outer ribs being chamfered on their exterior edge. The parapet which encloses the roadway, 11 feet in width, passes round the angle of the pier, and forms a recess for foot passengers on each side of the middle of the roadway. (2)
John Cook of Newcastle who died 1378-9, left 20 marks towards the building of Warkworth Bridge, if it were built within two years from the time of his making his will, otherwise the money was to be given to the bridge of Bywell (7 miles east of Hexham). (3)
The bridge appears to have been in the charge of wardens as far back as the end of the 15th cent as the custodes pontis was recorded as being a tenant in Warkworth in 1498. In 1726 Edward Cook was elected 'Bridge-Master'. (2)
Scheduled. (4)
Archl description in Entry 2 correct. The overall length of the bridge from inside edges of land piers is 43.8m, width between parapet walls 3.5m. The bridge has been braced at its northern end and a wooden fence substituted for western parapet wall, (above the northern arch), which has been removed probably because of its being unsafe. Vertical oak poles mark the perimeter of the land abutment on which the central pier stands. (5)
The bridge is still in a good state of repair but is no longer in use for vehicles, having been replaced by a modern bridge slightly down stream. (6)
I Warkworth Bridge Scheduled Ancient Monument. Said to have been built in 1379. Two segmental arches, triangular cut-waters and refuges all of stone, with 4 heavy ribs, the outer ones chamfered on the face, with a double chamfered outer ring over them. Later widened. (7)
Warkworth Bridge, 1379. Two segmental ribbed arches. Now pedestrian only. (8)
Warkworth Bridge, Grade II. Late 14th century, parapets probably rebuilt in 18th century. Squared stone with cut dressings. Two arches each of 18m span. Central cutwater. (9)
Two arches of 18.2m span. Narrow road, 3.3m wide. (10)
Warkworth Bridge. Graceful, two segmental arched spans. Total span c.154ft. Large central cutwaters. Each arch stiffened by four bold ribs. (11)
One of two fortified bridges of the Middle Ages in Britain (the other at Monmouth). (12)
A pillar bearing the Percy arms once stood on the bridge. (13)
The bridge is of great importance being a medieval structure with a (relatively) secure date, and an important component - the loop of the river - of the defences of a notable Border town.
Architecturally as well as historically this is an important medieval bridge; such repairs as there have been have been confined to the rebuilding of the parapets and the wing walls, and have not affected its character. It should be viewed in conjunction with the gate tower as a composite monument, one of the very few fortified bridges to survive in Great Britain.
Whilst the bridge retains its medieval form and appearance, it would appear that conservation measures and repairs (notably the 1936 filling with reinforced concrete, if in fact this was carried out) have effectively destroyed and sub-surface archaeological materials.
The bridge is of landscape value as part of the unique grouping of buildings at Warkworth, and also in its situation on a wooded stretch of the lower Coquet valley; the mid 20th century road bridge spoils the scene but has spared the medieval bridge a proposed widening. (14)
Until c.1830 a pillar or cross bearing the Percy Arms stood in the east recess (see NU 20 NW 13). (15)
Scheduled. (16)
NU 249 063. Warkworth Bridge and gatehouse. Scheduled No ND/18. (17a)
N5411
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1954; J H Ostridge
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
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