Landacre Bridge | |
---|---|
Coordinates | 51°06′43″N 3°41′31″W / 51.1119°N 3.6919°W |
Carries | Unclassified road |
Crosses | River Barle |
Heritage status | Grade II* listed building, ancient monument |
Characteristics | |
Design | Arch bridge |
Material | Stone |
Width | 2.7 metres (8 ft 10 in) |
No. of spans | Five |
Piers in water | Four |
History | |
Construction end | Late medieval |
Location | |
Landacre Bridge carries Landacre Lane across the River Barle near Withypool on Exmoor in the English county of Somerset. It has been designated as a scheduled monument and a Grade II* listed building.[1][2]
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]