Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1175476
- Date first listed:
- 16-Nov-1984
- List Entry Name:
- Rode Bridge
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2003-06-21
- Reference:
- IOE01/09408/35
- Rights:
- © Mr David Wood. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1175476
- Date first listed:
- 16-Nov-1984
- Date of most recent amendment:
- 21-Sept-2018
- List Entry Name:
- Rode Bridge
- Location Description:
- The bridge spans the River Frome at Rode Hill to the north-west of Rode, Frome, Somerset
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- Somerset (Unitary Authority)
- Parish:
- Tellisford
- District:
- Somerset (Unitary Authority)
- Parish:
- Rode
- National Grid Reference:
- ST8022654317
Summary
Road bridge, probably built around 1777 for the Black Dog Turnpike Trust.
Reasons for Designation
Rode Bridge is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Architectural interest:
* it is a well-constructed multi-span road bridge with semi-circular arches, a triangular cutwater and neat details.
Historic interest:
* as a former toll bridge for the Black Dog Turnpike Trust and testament to the wave of road improvements which facilitated the transport needs of this part of Somerset in the second half of the C18.
History
Rode Bridge is a multi-span road bridge crossing the River Frome which appears to have been built around 1777 and may have replaced an earlier bridge mentioned in a C17 document. It is situated on the road between Woolverton and Rode which was turnpiked in 1773 and was originally a toll bridge for the Black Dog Turnpike Trust. The Trust was established in 1752 and was responsible for the roads leading south from Bath towards Warminster, along with a branch from Frome. The centre line of the River Frome defined the county boundary between Somerset and Wiltshire until 1937 and a small boulder set into the deck of the bridge marks the county division. It also has a parish boundary stone for North Bradley and Road (the pre-1919 spelling of Rode).
Details
Road bridge, probably built around 1777 for the Black Dog Turnpike Trust.
MATERIALS: constructed of dressed rubble, possibly Doulting stone, with ashlar coping; some replaced with concrete.
DESCRIPTION: the bridge spans the River Frome and is orientated north-west to south-east. It comprises a causeway at either end, four semi-circular flood arches and two main semi-circular arches. The main arches have double voussoirs; the upper one breaks forwards, and impost bands. The upstream (south-west) side, which has some roughcast render, has a full-height, triangular cutwater which supports a corbelled-out refuge. The parapet walls show evidence of some rebuilding and have ashlar coping stones, though some have been replaced with cast concrete. The south-east end of the downstream parapet is splayed. Within the refuge is an upright parish boundary stone which is inscribed NORTH BRADLEY/ROAD (the pre-1919 spelling of Rode; right corner missing). There is also a small county boundary stone which is set into the floor of the bridge.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 267355
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Sources
Websites
Black Dog (Bath and Warminster) Turnpike Trust, accessed 14 June 2018 from http://www.turnpikes.org.uk/Somerset%20-%20Black%20Dog.htm
The Somerset County Environment Record, 24251: Rode Bridge, Rode, accessed 14 June 2018 from https://www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/24251
Somerset Rivers Authority flood works benefit river, bridge and pub., accessed 14 June 2018 from http://www.somersetriversauthority.org.uk/news/news-stories/sra-flood-works-benefit-river-frome-rode-bridge-the-mill-at-rode/
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 04-Jun-2026 at 06:59:07.
Download a full scale map (PDF)© Crown copyright [and database rights] 2026. OS AC0000815036. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100024900.© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited 2026. All rights reserved. Licence number 102006.006.
End of official list entry