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Summary

A single span bridge dating from the the late 17th century which was widened in the 18th or 19th century.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1325142: BOW BRIDGE

Other References/Statuses

• Old Listed Building Ref (II): 99819

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ROAD BRIDGE (Built, XVII to XIX - 1601 AD (Between) to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Henderson, C. + Jervoise, E., 1938, Old Devon Bridges, 29-30 (Monograph). SDV2296.

English Heritage, 1991, Blackawton (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV324902.

Bow Bridge. Bridge over the river Gara. Late 17th century (dated 168-), widened in 18th or 19th century. Local slate rubble with dressed slate arch ring. A single span bridge with a dressed slate segmental arch springing from straight jambs with chamfered imposts. Low stone rubble parapets with vertical slate lacing. The parapets continue over long abutments. Inside the north west parapet there is a stone plaque inscribed 'This Bridge was built by County---168-', part of the inscription is illegible. The brige was originally about 12ft wide and widened on the south east downstream side by about 7ft, judging by a masonry joint on the underside of the arch. James Green, the County Surveyor of Bridges, mentions in 1809 that Bow Bridge on 'the great road from Kingsbridge to Dartmouth' had then only a 6ft roadway. Therefore, if this is the same bridge it would have been widened on the upstream, north west, side and not on the downstream side as previously stated.

Belsey, V., 2011, Highway History in the AONB, 7 (Leaflet). SDV365973.

The bridge has a date plaque. It is difficult to read but has two dates, 1687 and widened 1862 by the County.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV2296	Monograph: Henderson, C. + Jervoise, E.. 1938. Old Devon Bridges. Old Devon Bridges. Unknown. 29-30.
SDV324902	List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest: English Heritage. 1991. Blackawton. Historic Houses Register. Website.
SDV365973	Leaflet: Belsey, V.. 2011. Highway History in the AONB. South Devon AONB Leaflet. Digital. 7.
	Linked documents:1

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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