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Summary

Axe Bridge was first mentioned in the 13th century. It is described as having two arches in the 16th century and was apparently not passable at high tides. The present bridge is modern. This was well-protected during the Second World War as a key crossing point of the river and was itself prepared for demolition with buried explosives.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SY29SE/102
• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SY29SE16
• Pastscape: 449634

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ROAD BRIDGE (Built, Early Medieval to Modern - 1066 AD (Between) to 2013 AD (Between))

Full description

Henderson, C. + Jervoise, E., 1938, Old Devon Bridges, 77 (Monograph). SDV2296.

'Axebrig' was noted in 1228 in the Devon feet of fines. In the 16th century it is recorded as having two stone arches. The present bridge is modern.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1975, SY29SE16 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV117263.

'Axebrig' is documented in 1228. It is recorded in the 16th century as having two stone arches. The present bridge is modern (citing Jervoise 1938; Devon Feet of Fines).

Parkinson, M., 1985, The Axe Estuary and its Marshes, 20 (Article in Serial). SDV122290.

Leland describes the crossing in the mid 16th century as 'Ax rennith...through ax bridg of 2 archis of stone; this bridg servith not to pass over at high tides, otherwise it doth.'

Horner, W., 1994, The Taunton Stop Line (Un-published). SDV358963.

During the Second World War the bridge was a strategic point on the Taunton Stop Line, as the first main crossing point of the Axe. It was heavily defended with pill boxes and other defences.

Exeter Archaeology, 2003-2004, East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Archaeological Survey, Site No. 1213 (Archive - Survey). SDV351568.

Axe Bridge. 'Axebrig' is documented in 1228. It is described as having two stone arches in mid 16th century. The existing bridge is modern.
SMR.

THE DEVONSHIRE ASSOCIATION, 2008, WWII Pill Boxes in the Axe Valley (Report - Survey). SDV347565.

During the Second World War the bridge was prepared for demolition with buried explosives.

Pink, F., 2014, South Devon Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey Desk-Based Assessment (Interpretation). SDV357736.

Ordnance Survey, 2024, Mastermap 2024 (Cartographic). SDV365834.

Axe Bridge marked.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV117263	Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card: Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division. 1975. SY29SE16. OSAD Card. Card Index + Digital.
SDV122290	Article in Serial: Parkinson, M.. 1985. The Axe Estuary and its Marshes. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 117. A5 Paperback. 20.
SDV2296	Monograph: Henderson, C. + Jervoise, E.. 1938. Old Devon Bridges. Old Devon Bridges. Unknown. 77.
SDV347565	Report - Survey: THE DEVONSHIRE ASSOCIATION. 2008. WWII Pill Boxes in the Axe Valley. Devonshire Association. Digital + A4.
SDV351568	Archive - Survey: Exeter Archaeology. 2003-2004. East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Archaeological Survey. East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Archaeological Survey. Digital + Mixed Archive Material. Site No. 1213.
SDV357736	Interpretation: Pink, F.. 2014. South Devon Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey Desk-Based Assessment. AC Archaeology Report. ACD618/4/3. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV358963	Un-published: Horner, W.. 1994. The Taunton Stop Line. A4 Single Sheet + Digital.
SDV365834	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 2024. Mastermap 2024. Ordnance Survey Digital Mapping. Digital. [Mapped feature: #142628 ]

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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