Yalding Bridge

Heritage listing

Details This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 17 December 2014. The 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 Beult, the main tributary of the River Medway, at Yielding. It carries the High Street (B2010) across two branches of river. The bridge is constructed of Kentish ragstone and includes six arches, three of which cross the main branch of the river. Two of these are pointed arches and one is a round-headed arch. It has pointed cutwaters on the north-west side and is supported by buttressing. Yalding bridge dates to at least the 15th century and was probably built on the site of an earlier wooden bridge. In 1474 and 1475 money was left in two wills for the upkeep of the bridge. It is also referred to in the mid 16th century by John Ireland, the Royal Antiquary of King Henry VIII. The bridge was widened in 1848. The site was partially excavated in 1969, which found that the bridge comprised of two major constructions one alongside the other; the carriageway having been widened. The stone foundations were found to rest on a layer of brushwood. The finds included medieval pottery, roof tiles, oyster shells, butchered animal bones, a silver penny of Edward 1 (1272-1307 AD), part of a Cresset-lamp, as well as post-medieval pottery and glass bottles. A cess pit was also uncovered. Legacy The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system. Legacy System number: KE 31 Legacy System: RSM - OCN

From the Historic England List Entry under OGL v3.