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The West Berkshire Historic Environment Record (HER) is the primary index of the physical remains of past human activity in the unitary authority of West Berkshire Council. Limited elements of the West Berkshire HER are available online via the Heritage Gateway, therefore it is not suitable for use in desk-based studies associated with development, planning and land-use changes, and does not meet the requirements of paragraph 194 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2021: 56). Please read the important guidance on the use of the West Berkshire HER data. For these purposes and all other commercial enquiries, please contact the Archaeology team and complete our online HER enquiry form.


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HER Number MWB5776
Record Type Monument
Name BURGHFIELD ROAD BRIDGE

Grid Reference SU 681 707
Map Sheet SU67SE
Parish Burghfield, West Berkshire
Map:Show location on Streetmap

Summary

Grade II listed stone road bridge over the canalised Kennet, suggested to be on the site of a medieval timber bridge

Associated Legal Designations or Protected Status

  • Listed Building (II) 1313029: BURGHFIELD BRIDGE AT SU 682709

Other Statuses and Cross-References

  • Berkshire SMR No. (pre 2000): 05050.09.030
  • National Monuments Record No.: SU 67 SE 78
    SU 6815 7080

Monument Type(s):

  • CANAL BRIDGE (19th century to Late 19th century - 1812 AD to 1900 AD)

Full Description

LISTED GRADE II. ROAD BRIDGE OVER CANAL, TOWPATH UNDER, TO THE SOUTH. BUILT ABOUT 1812, PROBABLY BY JOHN RENNIE.
SINGLE ELLIPTICAL ARCH WITH RESTICATED (probably misprint for rusticated) ARCH-RING AND KEYSTONES. BAND, SOLID PARAPET AND PIERS, WITH WEATHER COPING. ADJOINS TO THE NORTH A LOWER TWIN ARCHED BRICK BRIDGE.

It is suggested in information compiled by the Women's Institute <2> that the bridge was originally built in the 14th century and rebuilt in Tudor times, and that it was also the site of a Civil War skirmish between the Parliamentarians and Prince Rupert's cavalry. Matthew de Bergefield is apparently documented as having built a narrow bridge in the reign of Edward I.

An article in Medieval Archaeology <3> noted that a timber bridge existed at the time of Edward I was replaced by stone in c1770.

Sources and further reading

<01>Merriman, T. 1973. Exploring the Kennet & Avon Canal. [Unpublished document / SWB14603]
<02>Berkshire Federation of Women's Institutes. 1979. The Old Berkshire Village Book. Burghfield p30-31. [Monograph / SWB147301]
<03>Society for Medieval Archaeology. 1975. Medieval Archaeology 1975 Vol 19. XIX. In ADS Journals. p5. [Article in serial / SWB148571]

Related Monuments

MWB5773KENNET & AVON CANAL - SOUTHCOTE TO BURGHFIELD LOCK (Monument)

Associated Excavations and Fieldwork

  • None recorded