More information : NU 2482 0625: Bridge (GT). (1)
The bridge at Warkworth was erected during last quarter of 14th
century. It has two segmental arches each having a span of 60 feet springing from a mid-river pier and land abutments. The water pier, standing on a stout base of several splayed courses, is hexagonal in shape, being angled towards the course of the river; it is 22 feet wide by 40 feet to the extreme angles of the pier. The abutments have long wing walls extending up and down the river. The arches are formed of 4 ribs, the outer ribs being chamfered on their exterior edge. The parapet which encloses the roadway, 11 feet in width, passes round the angle of the pier and forms a recess for foot passengers on each side of the middle of the roadway. (2-3)
John Cook of Newcastle who died 1378-9, left 20 marks towards the building of Warkworth Bridge, if it were built within 2 years from the time of his making his will, otherwise the money was to be given to the bridge of Bywell (7 miles E of Hexham).
The bridge appears to have been in the charge of wardens as far back as the end of the 15th century as the custodes pontis was recorded as being a tenant in Warkworth in 1498. In 1726 Edward Cook was elected 'Bridge-Master'. (2) Scheduled. (4)
Archl description in Entry 2 correct. The overall length of the bridge from inside edges of land piers is 43.8 metres, width between
parapet walls 3.5 metres. The bridge has been braced at its northern end and a wooden fence substituted for western parapet wall, above the northern arch, which has been removed probably because of its being unsafe. Vertical oak poles mark the perimeter of the land abutment on which the central pier stands. (5)
The bridge is still in a good state of repair but is no longer in use for vehicles, having been replaced by a modern bridge slightly down stream. (6)
I Warkworth Bridge Scheduled Ancient Monument. Said to have
been built in 1379. Two segmental arches, triangular cut-waters and refuges, all of stone, with 4 heavy ribs, the outer ones chamfered on the face, with a double chamfered outer ring over them. Later widened. (7)
Warkworth Bridge. Grade II. Late 14th century; parapets probably rebuilt 18th century. Squared stone with cut dressings. Two double-chamfered segmental arches, each of 18 metres span, with impost band and 4 chamfered soffit ribs. Central sharply-angled cutwater has triple-chamfered plinth and is carried up as a pedestrian refuge, flanked by projecting stone drain spouts. Splayed wing walls. Parapet has chamfered coping. (8)
NU 249 063. Warkworth Bridge and gatehouse. Scheduled No ND/18. (9)
A multi-span bridge built late 14th century over the River Coquet and the remains of a defensive gateway. Closed to vehicle traffic since the 1960s. The parapets were rebuilt during the 20th century. At the south end of the bridge a 14th century defensive gateway which is rectangular in plan measures 8.3 metres by 5.5 metres externally and stands about 8 metres tall. The entrance is through an archway opening into the 3.5 metre wide gate passage which is covered with a stone vault. On the east side of the passage is a similar arched opening with a door to a spiral staircase to an upper room. The upper floor although partly restored in the 19th century remains roofless. Scheduled.(10) |