Information for record number MWA1399:
Victoria Bridge, Leamington Spa

Summary Victoria Bridge, a stone Bridge in the Gothic style, was built in the Imperial period, close to the site of an earlier brick Bridge. It crosses the River Leam at the north end of Victoria Terrace, Leamington Spa.
What Is It?  
Type: Road Bridge
Period: Imperial - Industrial (1751 AD - 1913 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Leamington Spa
District: Warwick, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 31 65
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Listed Building (Grade: II)
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 Before 1808 the bridge was a brick structure and was not in quite the same place as its successor. A new bridge was described as 'a very handsome stone bridge in the Gothic style...', 7m wide. Leamington bridge was opened by Dr Jephson on the Queen's birthday (24.5.1840) and was therefore named Victoria bridge. It is now 12m wide between the parapets. The bridge was built by Mr Green to the design of Mr J G Jackson.
2 A new stone bridge of three arches was begun in 1807 and completed in 1809 under the direction of Mr Couchman.
3 Listed Building Description.
4 Reconstruction of the extension built in 1839-40 on the west side of the bridge, revealed the original west elevation of the bridge built in 1807-9 by Henry Couchman. The work involved no excavation in the river bed which might have revealed evidence of earlier bridges.
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Royal Leamington Spa
Author/originator: Clarke H
Date: 1947
Page Number: 85-6
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: The Visitor's New Guide..
Author/originator: Moncrief
Date: 1818
Page Number: 60
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1949
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Warwick
   
Source No:
Source Type: Desk Top Study
Title: Historic Road Bridges in Warwickshire
Author/originator: N.Palmer and G. Booth
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Serial
Title: WMA (West Midlands Archaeology) vol 43
Author/originator: CBA West Midlands
Date: 2000
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
designation Listed Building Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a statutory list. These buildings are protected by planning and conservation acts that ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them.

Depending on how important the buildings are they are classed as Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II. Grade I buildings are those of exceptional interest. Grade II* are particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Those listed as Grade II are those buildings that are regarded of special interest.
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source LBL Listed Building List. Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a list. Buildings placed on the list are protected through various planning and conservation acts which ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them. The Listed Buildings List is compiled and maintained by English Heritage. It includes details of where the building is, when it was built, a description of its appearance, and any other special features. back
source WMA West Midlands Archaeology. This publication contains a short description for each of the sites where archaeological work has taken place in the previous year. It covers Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire. Some of these descriptions include photographs, plans and drawings of the sites and/or the finds that have been discovered. The publication is produced by the Council For British Archaeology (CBA) West Midlands and is published annually. Copies are held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
technique excavation Archaeologists excavate sites so that they can find information and recover archaeological materials before they are destroyed by erosion, construction or changes in land-use.

Depending on how complicated and widespread the archaeological deposits are, excavation can be done by hand or with heavy machinery. Archaeologists may excavate a site in a number of ways; either by open area excavation, by digging a test pit or a trial trench.
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period Imperial 1751 AD to 1914 AD (end of the 18th century AD to the beginning of the 20th century AD)

This period comes after the Post Medieval period and before the modern period and starts with beginning of the Industrial Revolution in 1750. It includes the second part of the Hannoverian period (1714 – 1836) and the Victorian period (1837 – 1901). The Imperial period ends with the start of the First World War in 1914.
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monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument ARCH * A structure over an opening usually formed of wedge-shaped blocks of brick or stone held together by mutual pressure and supported at the sides; they can also be formed from moulded concrete/ cast metal. A component; use for free-standing structure only. back
monument INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument BRIDGE * A structure of wood, stone, iron, brick or concrete, etc, with one or more intervals under it to span a river or other space. Use specific type where known. back
monument ROAD BRIDGE * A bridge carrying a road over land or water. back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument CROSS * A free-standing structure, in the form of a cross (+), symbolizing the structure on which Jesus Christ was crucified and sacred to the Christian faith. Use specific type where known. back
monument SPA * A medicinal or mineral spring often with an associated building. back
monument TERRACE * A row of houses attached to and adjoining one another and planned and built as one unit. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record