North Bridge
North Bridge, North Street, Wareham, Dorset
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1323570
- Date first listed:
- 07-May-1952
- List Entry Name:
- North Bridge
- Statutory Address:
- North Bridge, North Street, Wareham, Dorset
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2003-02-04
- Reference:
- IOE01/10077/11
- Rights:
- © Rev Andrew Salmon. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1323570
- Date first listed:
- 07-May-1952
- Date of most recent amendment:
- 30-Jun-2015
- List Entry Name:
- North Bridge
- Statutory Address 1:
- North Bridge, North Street, Wareham, Dorset
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:
- North Bridge, North Street, Wareham, Dorset
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- Dorset (Unitary Authority)
- Parish:
- Wareham Town
- National Grid Reference:
- SY9214087814
Summary
A multi-span bridge across the River Piddle or Trent, in Wareham; the bridge has medieval origins, with additions circa 1670, and was widened in 1846.
Reasons for Designation
The medieval and C17 North Bridge in Wareham is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Relative date: the bridge retains one span of its medieval structure and two spans from the C17;
* Architectural interest: it is a neatly-made structure with very well constructed arches to the spans, and deep, pointed cutwaters with contemporary refuges.
History
North Bridge is probably of medieval origin, and one arch survives from this period. The bridge was mentioned in documents as ‘pontun de Pedle’ in 1483 and by Leland in 1535 – 43. The central and southern arches were rebuilt in around 1670 following orders made in Quarter Sessions of 1667 and 1670; the masons contracted for the work were John Maskell, John Thorne, Robert Slade and Thomas Godden. The bridge was widened to the west and the approaches were improved in 1846 to plans by George Evans, County Surveyor; the builder Dominic Stone of Taunton. The present parapets were added in the C20. North Bridge continues to carry vehicular traffic.
Details
A multi-span bridge across the River Piddle or Trent, in Wareham; the bridge has medieval origins, with additions in circa 1670, and was widened in 1846.
MATERIALS
Squared and coursed stone.
DESCRIPTION
The bridge has three arches, the northern one being pointed and probably of medieval origin. The central and southern arches, which date from circa 1670, are segmental. There are two deep, upstream cutwaters with refuges above, and modern parapets matching the original materials and style.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 108026
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Sources
Books and journals
Inventory of Dorset II South East, (1970), 315-6
McFetrich, D, Parsons, J, Discover Dorset Bridges, (1998), 28 (illus.) & 29
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 11-Jun-2026 at 10:18:18.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.