Compton Dando Bridge

Summary

Multi-span road bridge over the River Chew, possibly with medieval origins, but largely dating to the C17 with later alterations and repairs.

Reasons for Designation

Compton Dando Bridge, Somerset, a C17 multi-span bridge with probable medieval origins, is scheduled for the following principal reasons:

* Potential: medieval or earlier fabric may be retained within the later structure or as deposits;

* Survival: Compton Dando bridge survives well as a principally C17 structure with evidence of earlier fabric and also some later alterations and restoration to the parapets;

* Rarity: multi-span bridges were once a common feature of England’s historic transport network, though their numbers have been much reduced;

* Group value: with the prehistoric Wansdyke earthwork, which would also have crossed the River Chew, and is also a scheduled monument.

History

The bridge carries the road from Keynsham to the north, which is joined by a road from Bristol to the north-west, over the River Chew and into Compton Dando. The roads are shown on the 1842 Tithe map and the 1885 Ordnance Survey (OS), with cutwaters on both sides of the the bridge depicted on the latter. The date of the bridge is unknown, although sources suggest that it may have medieval origins. It is also possible that it succeeded a crossing formed by the prehistoric Wansdyke to the east. Most of the surviving structure of the bridge dates to the C17 and it has been altered and successively repaired in later years. Post-war OS maps show a leat running south to north towards the west side of the bridge; a low stone wall running along the east side of the leat as an extension from the bridge may relate to its containment.

The bridge, with St Mary’s Church and other buildings beyond, was depicted in an 1845 painting by the artist William James Muller (1812-1845), the best-known artist of the Bristol School. The view is taken from the north-east and shows two of the bridge’s arches and two smaller arches which may be sluice gates.

Details

PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS
Multi-span road bridge over the River Chew. It possibly has medieval origins, but largely dates to the C17 with later alterations and repairs.

DESCRIPTION
The bridge is constructed of coursed limestone rubble with dressed coping stones. The bridge has a triple span with three semi-circular arches, the central slightly larger and that to the east has a pointed head. Between the arches are two large, stepped cutwaters on the east side, with one visible on the west side. At the south-west end of the bridge are two buttresses, one of stone construction, the other red brick. The bridge is slightly humped and there are discernible changes in the masonry where the parapet walls have been extended along the roadside. The extension to the north-east splays out towards the east, and that to the south-west runs for about 37m and retains evidence of a fence or railings; this wall is excluded from the scheduled area. The main part of the bridge has stone parapets with chamfered coping; the parapet wall extensions on the east side of the bridge have a mix of narrower examples and flat, natural slabs. The distance between the parapets is approximately 4.5m.

EXTENT OF SCHEDULING
The area of protection includes only the bridge and the wing walls to north and south-east, and has been drawn to follow the footprint of the structure.

EXCLUSIONS
The 37m-long parapet wall to the south-west is excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath it is included.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

BA 160

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

Sources

Websites
Bath & NE Somerset Historic Environment Record, accessed 07/01/2025 from https://www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/61845
Historic England: England’s Places, Compton Dando, accessed 07/01/2025 from https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/photos/englands-places/
Tate, ‘Compton Dando, Somerset’ by WJ Muller, accessed 07/01/2025 from https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/muller-compton-dando-somerset-n02387

Other
Tithe map, Compton Dando, Somerset (1842)
Ordnance Survey, Somerset (1885, 1:2500)

End of official list entry