Redford Bridge

Castle Street, Christchurch, Dorset

Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places

Overview

Road bridge over a mill stream, probably C15 or C16, widened in 1837, and repaired in 1902. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: I
List Entry Number:: 1304408
Date first listed:: 14-Oct-1953
List Entry Name:: Redford Bridge
Statutory Address:: Castle Street, Christchurch, Dorset

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Date:: 2006-02-08
Reference:: IOE01/15233/02
Rights:: © Mr Roy Lownds. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: I
List Entry Number:: 1304408
Date first listed:: 14-Oct-1953
Date of most recent amendment:: 03-Jul-2015
List Entry Name:: Redford Bridge
Statutory Address 1:: Castle Street, Christchurch, Dorset

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.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

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.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: Castle Street, Christchurch, Dorset

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Christchurch
National Grid Reference:: SZ1603892734

Summary

Road bridge over a mill stream, probably C15 or C16, widened in 1837, and repaired in 1902.

Reasons for Designation

Redford Bridge, a multi-span bridge of the C15 or C16 which was widened in 1837, is listed at Grade I for the following principal reasons: * Architectural interest: as an important example of a medieval road bridge that is neatly made, using good-quality materials; * Historic interest: it illustrates medieval bridge building techniques, while the mid-C19 widening provides evidence for the continuing importance of this route into Christchurch; * Group value: with a high number of listed buildings including the adjacent Town Bridge (Grade I), Nos. 20 and 22 Castle Street (both Grade II), and the remains of the Augustinian priory and castle (scheduled monument) and the constable’s house (Grade I) to the south.

History

Multi-span bridges are structures of two or more arches supported on piers. They were constructed throughout the medieval period for the use of pedestrians and packhorse or vehicular traffic, crossing rivers or streams, often replacing or supplementing earlier fords. During the early medieval period timber was used, but from the C12 stone (and later brick) bridges became more common, with the piers sometimes supported by a timber raft. Most stone or brick bridges were constructed with pointed arches, although semicircular and segmental examples are also known. A common medieval feature is the presence of stone ashlar ribs underneath the arch. The bridge abutments and revetting of the river banks also form part of the bridge. Where medieval bridges have been altered in later centuries, original features are sometimes concealed behind later stonework, including remains of earlier timber bridges. The roadway was often originally cobbled or gravelled.

As with most medieval bridges, the original date of construction for Redford Bridge (also known as Mews or Millhams Bridge) in Christchurch is not known. It is situated on what was the principal eastern route into the town during the medieval period and was probably constructed in the C15 or C16 at the same time as the adjacent Town Bridge (Grade I). Redford Bridge crosses a former millstream, and a bridge is depicted in this location on Ogilby’s map of 1675 and on Mew’s estate map of c.1715. Works have been carried out on the bridge over the centuries, including widening to its north side in 1837 and repairs in 1902.

Details

Road bridge over a mill stream, probably C15 or C16, widened in 1837, and repaired in 1902.

DESCRIPTION: a limestone ashlar bridge over a former mill stream. It has two round-headed arches, with a single triangular-shaped cutwater to each side, and parapets above.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:: 101454
Legacy System:: LBS

Sources

Websites
Listed Buildings in Christchurch, accessed 10 April 2015 from http://www.royhodges.co.uk/Listed%20Buildings%20in%20Christchurch.pdf
Other
Christchurch Central, Conservation Area Appraisal & Management Plan, September 2005

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.