Felton Old Bridge. Photo by Peter Ryder, 1992.

[NU 18510029] Felton Bridge, as it is on the direct road from Newcastle to Berwick, has been the site of the most important crossing of the river Coquet since early times. Reference is made to it in a charter of dated before the beginning of the 13th century, and the bridge is again mentioned in 1292. The present bridge is probably 15th-16th century. It has three nearly semi-circular arches, each with four square ribs, and has been widened on the upstream side to double its original width. Very little traffic now crosses the bridge as a concrete by-pass bridge has been built close alongside. (1)

A 15th century bridge at Felton. (2)

Scheduled Ancient Monument No 120. (3)

Description in Authy (1) correct. The northern arch of the bridge has also been widened on the downstream side to form a curved approach. The bridge has pointed cutwaters with pedestrian recesses above. The parapet is modern. The total span of the bridge is approx 38m. The overall width is 6.2m of which the original structure is approximately half. There is no trace of the earlier bridge referred to by Authy (1). It possibly occupied the same site. The bridge, which now carries foot passengers only, is in excellent condition. (4)

Condition unchanged. (5)

South part in Thirston parish (Castle Morpeth). (6)

Scheduled Monument Consent granted to County Surveyor, NCC, 3/11/1989 for repairs to Felton Bridge. Comprising 'the replacement of cracked and disintegrating masonry stones on the south abutment and on the base of the upstream nosing on the south pier; also maintenance pointing to the south east abutment, the south east spandrel, the parapet over the north east quarter of the bridge, and the cutwater faces around the northern downstream pier'. (7)

Old Felton Bridge over River Coquet, Grade II*. Probably 15th century, widened in 19th and 20th centuries. Three arches, each with four chamfered ribs, widened to west. West face: two semi-circular and one segmental arch with arch rings. Triangular cutwaters. (8)

Surveyed by P F Ryder in 1992-93. Although the bridge has been widened and altered, its medieval arches remain substantially complete; the later alterations are largely in keeping with the early fabric. Overall the structure could be classed as of considerable architectural interest if not of outstanding individual merit.
Archaeologically several questions remain unanswered. Did the earlier medieval bridge stand on the same site as the present structure? And what is the actual date of the earlier parts of the present bridge? The records so far traced do not give a clear picture of how much disturbance the sub-surface fabric of the bridge has suffered; one would expect it to carry late 19th or early 20th century service trenches etc. The bridge has considerable landscape value. (9)

A watching brief was carried out by Northern Archaeological Associates in August 1998 during excavation of a telecommunications service trench. The trench reached a depth of 0.45m but did not penetrate beneath materials associated with the renewal of the road surface in the 20th century. (10)

Scheduled. (11)

NU 186 003: Felton Bridge. Scheduled No ND/120. (12a)

The remains of Felton Bridge, a good example of a later medieval multi span bridge which spans the River Coquet south of Felton. The bridge was used by vehicle traffic until the early 20th century when it was superseded by a concrete bridge located downstream to the east. It was widened to the west during the 18th or early 19th century and further alterations were made to the approach to each end of the bridge during the 20th century.(12b)