Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The Len Bridge spans the Len, a stream which flows into the Medway. It is a stone bridge, probably 14th century, of 2 small pointed arches flanked by buttresses and a more recent flood-gate beside them. Upstream there is a mill-pond and the narrow arches to the bridge were probably to fit the requirements of a water mill. This bridge is only visible from Palace Gardens on the west as a modern bridge over which Mill Street passes has been superimposed upon it and projects beyond it.

Summary from record TQ 75 NE 541:

Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1300 to 1399

Monument Types

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

Full description

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TQ 761554. Len Bridge, Mill Street. Listed under bridges and scheduled 167. (1) Len Bridge (situated at TQ 75985552, OS 1:1250 1972) is of stone, built probably in the 14th century, with two narrow pointed arches flanked by buttresses and a more recent flood-gate beside them. The road carried by the bridge has been widened and cantilevered resulting in the original bridge being visible only from the west. Upstream there is a mill-pond and the narrow arches to the bridge were probably to fit the requirements of a water mill. Scheduled. (2) The Len Bridge This bridge is only visible from Palace Gardens on the west as a modern bridge over which Mill Street passes has been superimposed upon it and projects beyond it. It spans the Len, a stream which flows into the Medway. 14th c stone bridge of 2 small pointed arches flanked by buttresses. Alcove edged with brick on left hand side. Scheduled as an AM. (3) TQ 75985552. Len Bridge, as described. (See photograph) Published 1:2500 survey correct. (4) Additional Bibliography. (5)


The following text is from the original listed building designation:
This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 28/02/2107

TQ 7555 NE 1/68C

MILL STREET (West Side) The Len Bridge

30.7.51

GV II This bridge is only visible from Palace Gardens on the west as a modern bridge over which Mill Street passes has been superimposed upon it and projects beyond it. It spans the Len, a stream which flows into the Medway. C14 stone bridge of two small pointed arches flanked by buttresses. Alcove edged with brick on left hand side. Scheduled as an AM.

Gateway and Wall to Palace Gardens, Wall to north-west of Archbishop's Palace, The Archbishop's Palace, Wall to east of Archbishop's Palace, The Dungeons at the Archbishop's Palace, The Gate House at the Archbishop's Palace, The Len Bridge, The Tithe Barn, Parish Church of All Saints, Wall to north and west of All Saints Church, The College Gateway, The College Tower, The Master's House, The Master's Tower, Cutbush Almshouses and the Ruined Gateway form a group.

Listing NGR: TQ7596555501. (10)

From Register of Scheduled Monuments:

A stone bridge with two narrow pointed arches flanked by buttresses and a more recent floodgate beside them. Probably C14. Upstream is a mill pond and the narrow arches were probably to fit the requirements of a water mill.
As on AM7. The bridge is now preserved under the modern highway.
The bridge, preserved between the level of the road, can only be seen from the river bank on the downstream side, in front of the gatehouse, SAM 168 (9).

<1> DOE (IAM) AMs Eng 2 1978 115 (OS Card Reference). SKE40692.

<2> Arch Cant 25 1902 254 (OS Card Reference). SKE34884.

<3> Ancient Bridges of S Eng 1930 (E Jervoise) 37 (OS Card Reference). SKE33063.

<4> DOE (IAM) Record Form Plan (OS Card Reference). SKE40760.

<5> DOE (HHR) Dist of Maidstone Kent Aug 1974 75 (OS Card Reference). SKE40303.

<6> F1 MJF 20.03.86 (OS Card Reference). SKE43032.

<7> Bldgs of Eng West Kent and the Weald 1980 406 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE38071.

<8> Field report for monument TQ 75 NE 79 - March, 1986 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3841.

<9> English Heritage, Register of Scheduled Monuments (Scheduling record). SKE16191.

<10> Historic England, National Heritage List for England (Index). SKE29372.

Sources and further reading