Rothbury Bridge

Heritage listing

Details This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 16 May 2016. 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 bridge of 16th century date, spanning the River Coquet at Rothbury. The bridge is constructed from squared sandstone masonry laid in regular courses and has four segmental arches, three of which have chamfered ribs and triangular cutwaters. The bridge has a complex structural sequence. It is first mentioned in documentary sources in 1616 but its form suggests it was built in the 16th century. It was originally a packhorse bridge but was widened for vehicular traffic in 1759 by William Oliphant, whose initials, together with the date, are inscribed on the lower courses of the east side of the bridge. Of the four arches the southernmost one is unribbed and represents a later amendment to the bridges structure. Slight differences in the architectural details of the ribbing, voussoirs and chamfering also suggest phases of structural development, most of which are related to the widening of the bridge in the 18th century. During the 20th century the parapets were removed and a concrete road deck was placed on the top of the bridge in order to further widen it for traffic. The bridge is a listed building Grade II. Legacy The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system. Legacy System number: ND 124 Legacy System: RSM - OCN

From the Historic England List Entry under OGL v3.