Information for record number MWA283:
Coleshill Bridge

Summary Coleshill Bridge which was built during the Post Medieval period. It is constructed from sandstone ashlar and is situated at Cole End, Coleshill.
What Is It?  
Type: Road Bridge
Period: Post-medieval - Modern (1540 AD - 2050 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Coleshill
District: North Warwickshire, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 19 89
(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 An ancient bridge. Although widened on the W in modern times it still forms a bottle-neck. It dates apparently from the mid 16th century and is built of red sandstone ashlar. It consists of 6 bays with semicircular arches showing 2 chamfered orders on the E face: the W face is modern. There are 5 piers with V-shaped cut-waters on both faces: the middle pier is entirely rebuilt, mostly of brick: some of the others have been repaired on the E face. The pier parapets, except above the middle pier, are slightly recessed, the tops of the lower parts of the V faces sloping back to them. Above the end arches the ashlar courses are sloped down to the original steep ramps, and later masonry is added above these courses at the N end. There are 3 further arches to the N under the causeway, of 17th or 18th century masonry, with cut-water on the E face.
2 A fine example of a Medieval bridge of the 15th or 16th century, having 6 segmental arches with double chamfered end-stones. There appears to be no documentary evidence for its date of building or its builder but no doubt Maxstoke Castle or Priory would provide a possible clue. It is almost double its original width of about 2.3 m having been widened upstream. A new bridge was built immediately upstream in 1938.
5 The E side has cutwaters with shallow flat refuges over them. It has been a good deal restored, two of the cutwaters have been rebuilt in brick, but this is not recent work. The arches are of two rings with chamfered arrises.
7 A stone bridge of six arches which has been widened on the west side. The east side has cutwaters with shallow refuges over them. It has been a great deal restored, two of the cutwaters have been rebuilt in brick, but this is not recent work. The arches are of two rings with chamfered arrises.
8 An archaeological evaluation involving trial trenching of deposits immediately east of the northern flood arches revealed a single undated posthole containing a decayed timber post of uncertain function. The timber post was sealed by thin alluvial layers and modern build up.
9 archaeological observation at Coleshill bridge recorded the foundations of the east ends of the two piers of the flood-arches north of the bridge.
10 Observation of a trench to the south of the bridge excavated by Severn Trent Water in September 1996 revealed the continuation of layers of alluvium and gravel.
11 Correspondence relating to scheduled monument consent from 1988.
12 Interesting widening of a stone arch bridge in brick. The original bridge forms the east side of the existing bridge and it in yellow sandstone with segmental arches. The bridge was widened in 1900 by extending all the arches to the west in red brickwork.
 
Sources
Source No: 3
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1951
Page Number: 20
Volume/Sheet: Meriden Rural
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 4, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1947
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 4
   
Source No: 12
Source Type: Building Survey
Title: Panel for Historical Engineering Works
Author/originator: Institution of Civil Engineers
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 11
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Cole End Bridge
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1988
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
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: 8
Source Type: Evaluation Report
Title: Evaluation at Coleshill Bridge
Author/originator: Jones G C
Date: 1996
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Observation Report
Title: Arch Obs at Coleshill Bridge
Author/originator: Coutts C
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Record Card/Form
Title: SMR card: photograph
Author/originator:
Date: 2005
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 10
Source Type: Serial
Title: WMA vol 39 (1996)
Author/originator: Mould, C & White, R (eds)
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 39
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Serial
Title: TBAS vol 69
Author/originator: Sapcote E S
Date: 1951
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 69
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: SAM List 1983
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1983
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: Coleshill Bridge
Author/originator: DoE
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: Cole End Bridge
Author/originator: Ministry of Works/DoE
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
Coleshill Bridge, Coleshill
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1977
Click here for larger image  
 
Coleshill Bridge, Coleshill, North Warwickshire
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Click here for larger image  
 
Coleshill Bridge, Coleshill, North Warwickshire
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1900s
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 SMR Card Sites and Monuments Record Card. The Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record began to be developed during the 1970s. The details of individual archaeological sites and findspots were written on record cards. These record cards were used until the 1990s, when their details were entered on to a computerised system. The record cards are still kept at the office of the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. 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
source TBAS Transactions of the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society is a journal produced by the society annually. It contains articles about archaeological field work that has taken place in Birmingham and Warwickshire in previous years. Copies of the journal are kept by the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. 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 Documentary Evidence Documentary evidence is another name for written records. The first written records in Britain date back to the Roman period. Documentary evidence can take many different forms, including maps, charters, letters and written accounts. When archaeologists are researching a site, they often start by looking at documentary evidence to see if there are clues that will help them understand what they might find. Documentary evidence can help archaeologists understand sites that are discovered during an excavation, field survey or aerial survey. 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 Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)

The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.

The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.

The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
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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 LAYER * An archaeological unit of soil in a horizontal plane which may seal features or be cut through by other features. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. 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 RAMP * An inclined plane connecting two different levels, used to accomodate the movement of vehicles, wheeled apparatus,livestock etc. back
monument PRIORY * A monastery governed by a prior or prioress. Use with narrow terms of DOUBLE HOUSE, FRIARY, MONASTERY or NUNNERY. back
monument CASTLE * A fortress and dwelling, usually medieval in origin, and often consisting of a keep, curtain wall and towers etc. back
monument PIER * A structure of iron or wood, open below, running out into the sea and used as a promenade and landing stage. 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 CAUSEWAY * A road or pathway raised above surrounding low, wet or uneven ground. 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 ARCH BRIDGE * A curved structural span which is supported at the sides or ends. May vary in shape from the horizontal flat arch through semicircular and semielliptical forms. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record