Reasons for Designation
Medieval and post-medieval single span bridges are structures designed to carry a road or track over a river by means of a single arch. Bridges were common and important features of medieval and post-medieval towns and the countryside and allowed easy access along a well developed road and trackway system. A larger number retain significant medieval or post-medieval remains, allowing the original form of the bridge to be determined. These examples are nationally important.
Newtown Bridge is a well-preserved example of a post-medieval single span bridge. The quality of its materials and design suggest it is associated with the adjacent Chillingham historic landscape, which enhances its importance.
Details
The monument includes a single span road bridge of mid 19th century date, which spans the River Till carrying the road from Newtown to Chillingham Castle. The bridge is constructed of squared, pink sandstone blocks, neatly tooled and margined. The blocks of the parapet are more finely tooled. The bridge has a single segmental arch of one square order with a raised arch ring; at the base of the parapet there is a raised band and at the centre, a central pilaster or pier with a low pyramidal cap. There are wing walls with square piers surmounted by low pyramidal caps. The parapet slopes down from the central pilaster to the inner piers of the wing walls. Beyond this, the parapets are horizontal and stepped down between the inner and outer piers. The western abutment has been strengthened by the addition of broad buttresses standing about 2m above stream level on the upstream and downstream sides.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
ND 141
Legacy System:
RSM - OCN
End of official list entry
