Building record 3321/0/15 - The Bathstone Bridge

Bridge. Probably c.1765. Limestone ashlar. Single elliptical-arched bridge with plain ramped approached and keyblock, flanked by shallow plain pilaster buttresses.

{1} Bridge. Probably c.1765. Limestone ashlar. Single elliptical-arched bridge with plain ramped approached and keyblock, flanked by shallow plain pilaster buttresses. Balustraded parapets divided into 3 sections by panelled piers. Cantilevered balcony to south side and sluice below bridge. The bridge stands between upper and middle Warren Ponds. (Castle Ashby park and gardens are included in HBMC Register of Parks and Gardens for Northamptonshire at Grade I)

{3} The principal scenic vistas from the garden are eastward, as the ground falls fairly gently to a chain of ponds. At the south end of the chain are three small ponds, collectively Warren Ponds. Between the first and second ponds is Bathstone Bridge (listed grade II), a limestone ashlar, elliptical-arched structure probably of c 1765. Terracotta Bridge (listed grade II), also of c 1765 but remodelled and refaced in pink terracotta c 1868, stands between the third pond and Park Pond.
The main walk from the Castle, between the Italian Garden and the kitchen garden and via the Arboretum, crosses the Bathstone Bridge before running along the east side of Warren Ponds, well planted with trees and shrubs.

{4} Undated photo;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 6/38 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F12 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> English Heritage, 1994, Register of Parks & Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England (1994, Northamptonshire), (unchecked) (Report). SNN1324.

<4> Photographs of buildings in Castle Ashby (Photographs). SNN111838.

Record last edited

Aug 2 2021 4:02PM