Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Laddingford Bridge is of medieval construction, possibly of 14th century date. It has two pointed arches with a narrow pier between them, an unusual feature on a bridge of this period. Later rebuilding work includes a brick parapet. Scheduled.

Monument Types

• BRIDGE (BRIDGE, Medieval to Modern - 1300 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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[TQ 69074884] Laddingford Br. [NR] (1) Laddingford Bridge consists of two elegant pointed arches of the 14th c. but the upper walls are obviously later. (2) Laddingford Bridge is of medieval construction, possibly of 14th c. date. It has two pointed arches with a comparatively narrow pier between them, an unusual feature for a bridge of this period. The width of roadway is c. 12 feet. (3) Architectural description given by Authority 3 correct. The total span is 8.7m and the overall width 4.2m. The bridge, with pointed cutwaters, is of coursed and dressed masonry with a later brick parapet. (4) No change. (5) Laddingford Bridge. Grade II. (6) TQ 691488. Laddingford Bridge. Scheduled No. 79. (7) Additional bibliography. (8-9)
From the Register of Scheduled Monuments: Possibly C14 date. Has two pointed arches with a comparatively narrow pier between them - width of roadway 12ft.(1)
Parapets entirely rebuilt in dull red brick with curved stone coping.(2)


Summary of Monument

Laddingford Bridge, 87m ENE of Laddingford House
Reasons for Designation

Multi-span bridges are structures of two or more arches supported on piers. They were constructed throughout the medieval and post-medieval periods 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 12th century 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 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 bridges have been altered in later centuries, original features are sometimes concealed behind later stonework, including remains of earlier timber bridges.

Despite some later alterations, Laddingford Bridge survives well and is a good example of a multi-span bridge. Deposits buried underneath the bridge will preserve valuable artefactual, ecofactual and environmental evidence, providing information about the human and natural history of the site prior to the construction of the bridge.
History

See Details
Details

This record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

The monument includes a medieval multi-span bridge situated over the River Teise at Laddingford. It carries the road known as Gravelly Ways over the Teise.

The bridge is constructed of coursed and dressed masonry with two pointed arches and a later brick parapet. It is just over 4m wide and nearly 9m long. The bridge is likely to date to the 14th century, although the parapets were rebuilt at a later date and are adorned with stone coping. It has pointed cutwaters. There is curved stone coping adorning the parapets.(12)

<1> OS 6" 1961 (OS Card Reference). SKE48369.

<2> A Saunter thro' Kent with pen and pencil 22 1928 92 (C Igglesden) (OS Card Reference). SKE32847.

<3> The Ancient Bridges of the South of England 1930 34 (E Jervoise) (OS Card Reference). SKE49929.

<4> F1 ASP 07-JAN-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE41980.

<5> F2 CFW 16-JAN-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE43245.

<6> MHLG Maidstone RD 2225/11/A October 1960 82 (OS Card Reference). SKE47137.

<7> DOE (IAM) AMs Eng 2 1978 115 (OS Card Reference). SKE40692.

<8> The National Trust Book of Bridges 1984 16 (J M Richards) (OS Card Reference). SKE50439.

<9> Bldgs of Eng-West Kent & the Weald 1980 622 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE38168.

<10> Field report for monument TQ 64 NE 5 - January, 1959 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3230.

<11> Field report for monument TQ 64 NE 5 - January, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3231.

<12> Historic England, National Heritage List for England (Index). SKE29372.

Sources and further reading