Landacre Bridge

Landacre Bridge carries Landacre Lane across the River Barle near Withypool on Exmoor in the English county of Somerset. It has been scheduled as an ancient monument and Grade II* listed building.[1][2]

Landacre Bridge
Coordinates51.1119°N 3.6919°W / 51.1119; -3.6919
CarriesUnclassified road
CrossesRiver Barle
Heritage statusGrade II* listed building, ancient monument
Characteristics
DesignArch bridge
MaterialStone
Width2.7 metres (8 ft 10 in)
No. of spansFive
Piers in waterFour
History
Construction endLate medieval
Landacre Bridge
Location of Landacre Bridge within Exmoor

The stone bridge has five arches each with a span of 9 feet (2.7 m).[3] It has pointed arches with cutwaters.[2] On either side of the road carriageway are parapets 0.6 metres (2 ft 0 in) high.[1]

It was built in the late medieval period with the first documentary evidence being from 1610.[4] Restoration work was undertaken in 1875,[2] and again following damage during flooding in 1952.[5][6]

The grassy banks are grazed by sheep and provide an environment for Montbretia, Ivy-leaved Bellflower and Bottle Sedge, with the wetter areas supporting Bog-bean, Marsh Speedwell, Bog Asphodel and Round-leaved Sundew. The river itself has populations of Watermilfoil and the hybrid between Monkeyflower and Blood-drop-emlets.[7]

The bridge has also given its name to a Morris Dance by Exmoor Border Morris, which they performed at the bridge in 2016.[8]

References
  1. Historic England. "Landacre Bridge Ancient Monument listing (1021125)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  2. Historic England. "Landacre Bridge  (Grade II*) (1058006)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  3. Otter, R.A. (1994). Civil Engineering Heritage: Southern England. Thomas Telford Ltd. pp. 91–92. ISBN 978-0727719713.
  4. "MSO8670 - Landacre Bridge". Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record. Exmoor National Park. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  5. "Lanacre Bridge and the Exmoor National Park". Everything Exmoor. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  6. "Lanacre Bridge and the Exmoor National Park". Everything Exmoor. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  7. "Landacre Bridge". Somerset Rare Plants Group. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  8. "EBM Landacre Bridge at Landacre Bridge". YouTube. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
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