Wadebridge Bridge

Wadebridge Bridge is a road bridge over the River Camel, built around 1468 and financed by Thomas Lovybound, the vicar of Egloshayle. The bridge was widened in 1847 and again in 1963, with the engineering work carried out by Posford, Parry and Partners. It is constructed from local stone rubble, with granite dressings added during the 1847 and 1963 alterations. The bridge measures 320 feet in length and originally featured 17 arches, of which 12 are still visible; the end arches have been filled in and are used as cellars. The original pointed arches are 18 feet 6 inches wide and rise approximately 9 feet from the springing point. The piers are 12 feet wide, with deep cutwaters between each arch that rise to create refuges in the parapets.

In 1847, granite segmental arches were inserted across the cutwaters to widen the carriageway by 3 feet on each side, which reduced the depth of the cutwaters. The 1963 widening on the southeast side nearly doubled the bridge's original width, and the design of the granite segmental arches from the 1847 work was replicated using rusticated granite blocks, with cutwaters again forming refuges. The bridge was noted by William of Worcester during his visit in 1478, and Leland provided a detailed account in 1538. Originally, the bridge connected two chapels on either side of the river, one dedicated to St Michael and the other known as King's Chapel, both of which have since been demolished. Local legend suggests that Lovybound, the bridge's patron, was uncertain about how to build foundations on a riverbed. After dreaming of sheep shearing, he placed bales of wool on the riverbed, which eventually swelled and stabilized the shifting mud, allowing for secure foundations to be established.