Building record 1298/1/2 - Charles I Bridge (Formerly also The Horse Bridge)

Early 18th century bridge.

{1} Mentions two bridges in Stanford Park but not over River Avon. Four-arch horse bridge standing in park mound close to Bridge Close Lane.

{2} Neither bridge within the park appeared to carry the public road.

{3} Post medieval bridge. A long narrow bridge in ruinous state. Four-centred arches of stone with brick and stone forming the upper part; probably C17/18th date. Replaced by the bridge to its immediate south in 1844.

{4} Bridge. Probably early C18th. Lias ashlar and brick. 4 segmental arches. Fragments of brick and lias parapets above.

{6} Bridge over Avon in Stanford Park took place of a ford where fatal accident occurred in 1705.

{7} Bridge over River Avon. Circa late C18. Dressed stone and ashlar, partly rebuilt in red brick. 4 elliptical arches with ashlar voussoirs; rebuilt in brick above arches on south side later in C19. Piers also repaired in brick. Narrow carriageway about 6' 6" wide, covered in turf. Replaced by bridge immediately to south in 1844.

{8} The Charles I Bridge is situated in the south-east corner of Stanford Park and runs parallel and adjacent to the east-west public road bridge of 1844. It spans the River Avon downstream from the park’s C18th lake, which has been formed by damming the river thus regulating the flow of water through the bridge according to the season. No track leads to or from the bridge now: to the west is parkland pasture, and to the east an iron railing and gate separate the bridge from the public road.
Stanford derives its name from ‘a crossing of the river provided by the stony ford’, prior to the construction of the present bridges.
The bridge of four arches, is a narrow foot or pack-horse bridge but not wide enough for carts or wagons. It is of local Lias stone and red brick, with rubble stone cores to the supporting piers. The date ‘1636’ is carved into a stone on the south side of the bridge. Low parapets bounded both sides of the route, but only the southern parapet survives. Collapse has exposed a section through the structure, showing a build-up of gravel/hogging, on cobbles, on a 225mm brick vault.
The bridge has also previously been known as the Horse Bridge, but derives it’s current name from the 1636 date carved on the south elevation. Its date of construction is not known for certain. The Listed Building description describes the bridge as being late C18th, probably between 1737 and 1778, but the 1636 carving may be genuine because of the character of it’s structure. Most of the surviving stone structure is probably of the mid C17th, comprising barrel arches above the springing points of the piers. The remaining north parapet brickwork is probably C18th or early C19th. The facings to the piers are of brickwork of various dates because of repairs. A series of iron brackets let into the stonework on the south elevation may have supported a handrail, but there is no equivalent on the north side.
The bridge is in poor condition and water-damage to four of the piers renders it no longer safe to use. If repaired, the bridge could once again usefully function as a pedestrian route, particularly as the current bridge is not wide enough for a footpath.
Detailed plans, elevations and photographs are included in the report.

{8} Undated photo;

Photographs of buildings in Stanford on Avon (Photographs). SNN113180.

<1> Nichols J., 1807, The History and Antiquities of The County of Leicester (v.4 pt.1 The Hundred of Guthlaston), p.350 (unchecked) (Series). SNN42842.

<2> RUSSELL P., 1955, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Leicestershire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN42825.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP57NE9 (part checked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 6/96 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<5> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G03 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN44900.

<6> FIRTH J.B., 1926, Highways and Byways of Leicestershire, p.188 (unchecked) (Book). SNN42832.

<7> English Heritage, 2000, Listed Buildings Online, LBUID191489 (Leicestershire entry) (Database). SNN105526.

<8> Donald Insall Associates, 2010, Historic Building Recording for The Charles I Bridge, Stanford Hall, Stanford-On-Avon, Leicestershire, (checked) (Report). SNN107116.

Record last edited

Feb 15 2024 4:25PM