Atcham Bridge
90m north-west of The Mytton and Mermaid Hotel, Atcham, Shropshire
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II*
- List Entry Number:
- 1176588
- Date first listed:
- 17-Feb-1985
- List Entry Name:
- Atcham Bridge
- Statutory Address:
- 90m north-west of The Mytton and Mermaid Hotel, Atcham, Shropshire
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2005-10-20
- Reference:
- IOE01/14309/05
- Rights:
- © Mr John Cousens. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II*
- List Entry Number:
- 1176588
- Date first listed:
- 17-Feb-1985
- Date of most recent amendment:
- 04-Dec-2017
- List Entry Name:
- Atcham Bridge
- Statutory Address 1:
- 90m north-west of The Mytton and Mermaid Hotel, Atcham, Shropshire
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
- Statutory Address:
- 90m north-west of The Mytton and Mermaid Hotel, Atcham, Shropshire
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- Shropshire (Unitary Authority)
- Parish:
- Atcham
- National Grid Reference:
- SJ 54052 09307
Summary
A former road bridge, known as Atcham Bridge (old) dating from 1769-1771, designed by John Gwynne of Shrewsbury for the County of Shropshire.
Reasons for Designation
Atcham Bridge (old), a former road bridge dating from 1769-1771, designed by John Gwynn(e) of Shrewsbury for the County of Shropshire, is listed at Grade II*, for the following principal reasons:
Architectural interest:
* the bridge is a good classical building demonstrating quality in architectural style.
Historic interest:
* the bridge is one of a number of road bridges by John Gwynn(e) (1713-1786), a recognised architect and civil engineer.
History
In 1550 Sir Rowland Hill built a stone bridge with 18 arches, subsequently replaced by the present bridge which dates from 1769-71 and was designed by John Gwynne. The bridge was originally built to carry the road that would become the A5 over the River Severn. It was designed by John Gwynn and built between 1769 and 1771, at the expense of the County of Shropshire. There is evidence in the stone work that the central date stones were originally flanked by railings (no longer extant). The A5 was rerouted in 1929, when a new concrete bridge was built immediately to the north. The old bridge continues to be used as a footpath.
John Gwynn(e) (1713-1786) was an architect, civil engineer and, in 1768, was a founding member of the Royal Academy. He re-worked Sir Christopher Wren's plan for the rebuilding of London and this led to his involvement in the introduction of the Building Act 1774, which improving standards of materials and workmanship. He designed several other bridges along the River Severn including English Bridge, Shrewsbury first built in 1769 (Grade II*), and Magdalen Bridge, Oxford built in 1772-1777 (Grade II*).
Details
A former road bridge, known as Atcham Bridge (old) dating from 1769-1771, designed by John Gwynne of Shrewsbury for the County of Shropshire.
MATERIALS: grey sandstone ashlar.
DESCRIPTION: a humped-back bridge of seven graded, round arches with banded rusticated soffits and voussoirs. At the centre of each arch is a group of triple keystones consisting of fluted outer stones flanking a central stone with vermiculated rustication. The arches spring from piers with concave-capped breakwaters at the base. Above the arches is a string course. The bridge is topped by a coped parapet which ramps up to central pediments and date stones. The bridge is buttressed by curved end piers topped by pyramidal cap stones. The piers are abutted by carved scrolls and low curved parapet walls. The central, lugged, half-H date stones are inscribed: "THIS BRIDGE/Was erected at the Expence [sic] of the County/MDCCLXXXI/JOHN GWYNN Arch".
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 259234
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Sources
Books and journals
Pevsner, N, Newman, J, The Buildings of England: Shropshire, (2006)
Websites
John Gwynn, accessed 13 July 2017 from http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/John_Gwynn
John Gwynn (1713-1786), Architect, accessed 13 July 2017 from http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person.php?LinkID=mp01958
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 10-Jun-2026 at 11:20:10.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
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