Information for record number MWA1962:
Castle Bridge, Castle Road, Warwick

Summary Castle Bridge is a sandstone Bridge built in the post medieval period. It has a single span of one segmental arch with Classical balustrades. It crosses the River Avon 400m east of Warwick Castle.
What Is It?  
Type: Road Bridge
Period: Modern (1700 AD - 2050 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Warwick
District: Warwick, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 28 64
(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: )
Scheduled Monument (Grade: )
Listed Building (Grade: II*)
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

 
Description

 
Source Number  

1 Good 18th century ashlar (sandstone) bridge. Single span of one segmental arch with rustications continued through the soffit. Monumental balustrade with curved terminations on plan at each end, and heavily moulded string course below. Part of the balustrade on the down stream side was damaged during the 1939-45 war. It has been replaced.
2 In 1788 the Earl of Warwick obtained an Act of Parliament which enabled him to build a new bridge. The first stone was laid in 1789. The same basic design as the Leafield bridge seems to have been used. The parapet consists of conventional Classical balustrades. The new bridge was opened in 1793. It cost at least £3258.
4 Scheduling information.
5 A trial trench was excavated across the bridge in 1997 and archaeologically monitored. It revealed the structure of the bridge at the apex of the arch. It also showed that the original infilling of the bridge had been heavily disturbed by service trenches and that no earlier road surfaces survived.
8 Single 32m span masonry bridge built in 1792, parapets removed in 1941 and replaced in 1949.
9 Designed by Mylne is similar to Leafield bridge
 
Sources

Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1973
Page Number: 73-4
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 8, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Pugh R B (ed)
Date: 1969
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 8
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Building Survey
Title: Panel for Historical Engineering Works
Author/originator: Institution of Civil Engineers
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 8
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: 6
Source Type: Drawing
Title: Illustration of Castle Bridge, Warwick
Author/originator: Lancelot H-R
Date: 1791-93
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Excavation archive
Title: Castle Bridge, Warwick
Author/originator: WM
Date: 1991
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 10
Source Type: Statuatory List
Title: National Heritage List for England
Author/originator: Historic England
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Observation Report
Title: Arch Obs at New Castle Bridge, Warwick
Author/originator: Palmer, N
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: SAM list
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1985
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: Castle Bridge, Warwick
Author/originator: DoE
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
Castle Bridge over the River Avon at Warwick
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1890s
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
none Scheduled Monument Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) are those archaeological sites which are legally recognised as being of national importance. They can range in date from prehistoric times to the Cold War period. They can take many different forms, including disused buildings or sites surviving as earthworks or cropmarks.

SAMs are protected by law from unlicensed disturbance and metal detecting. Written consent from the Secretary of State must be obtained before any sort of work can begin, including archaeological work such as geophysical survey or archaeological excavation. There are nearly 200 SAMs in Warwickshire.
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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 SAM List Scheduled Ancient Monument List. A list or schedule of archaelogical and historic monuments that are considered to be of national importance. The list contains a detailed description of each Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) and a map showing their location and extent. By being placed on the schedule, SAMs are protected by law from any unauthorised distrubance. The list has been compiled and is maintained by English Heritage. It is updated periodically. back
technique Trial Trench A small regular hole that is usually square or rectangular in shape. Archaeologists dig trial trenches to discover if there are any archaeological remains at a particular location. See also excavation. back
period Modern The Modern Period, about 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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period Post Medieval About 1540 AD to 1750 AD (the 16th century AD to the 18th century AD)

The Post Medieval period comes after the medieval period and before the Imperial period.

This period covers the second half of the reign of the Tudors (1485 – 1603), the reign of the Stuarts (1603 – 1702) and the beginning of the reign of the Hannoverians (1714 – 1836).
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period modern About 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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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 BALUSTRADE * A row of balusters, usually made of stone, surmounted by a rail or coping. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. back
monument CASTLE * A fortress and dwelling, usually medieval in origin, and often consisting of a keep, curtain wall and towers etc. 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 TRENCH * An excavation used as a means of concealment, protection or both. back
monument ENGINEERING WORKS * Any factory or site using machine tools in a manufacturing or processing capacity. 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 STREAM * A natural flow or current of water issuing from a source. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record