Croft Bridge

Croft Bridge is a multi-span road bridge over the River Tees, probably dating from the 14th century. It was restored in 1673 (recorded by a plaque on the downstream parapet), again in 1781 by Thomas Bott (with an inscription on the south-east cutwater), and widened by approximately 5 metres on the upstream side in 1795 by the architect and engineer John Carr. The original medieval masonry on the downstream face is of squared red sandstone, while the restorations and the extended upstream face are of grey dressed and ashlar sandstone.

The bridge is approximately 160 metres long overall with splayed end walls. The downstream face displays six double-chamfered pointed arches on five chamfered ribs, beneath hoodmoulds, with a smaller round arch at the east (Durham) end. Triangular-plan cutwaters are present, with a parapet that projects on small shield-shaped brackets and forms semi-octagonal refuges above each cutwater. The parapet is slightly raked down towards the east end, and splayed end walls with cylindrical end piers have ogee-domed caps.

The upstream face is similar to the downstream face except that the small east end arch is slightly pointed and each arch has six chamfered ribs. The cutwaters have double-chamfered plinths and the parapet projects on modillions. A dated plaque of 1673 with an illegible inscription appears on the inner face of the parapet above the third arch from the west end. A pink granite plaque on the north-west refuge commemorates Queen Victoria's 1897 Diamond Jubilee. The bridge straddles the parishes of Hurworth and Croft.

The bridge has a long history of maintenance. In 1356 it was described as being in dangerous condition due to great flooding, and a Grant of Pontage was made for its repair. It is believed to have been rebuilt in the 15th century. Between 1562 and 1580, 184 pounds was spent on repairs. In 1616 it was described as ruinous and decayed, and in 1631 as a great ruin. During the Commonwealth period in the 1650s, further repair work was recorded by the North Riding Quarter Sessions: 60 pounds was spent in 1651, 150 pounds in 1657, and 66 pounds 13 shillings 4 pence in 1658. An illegible plaque on the downstream parapet above the third pier from the east end recorded the restoration of 1673. On the upstream parapet opposite are the coats of arms of Yorkshire and County Durham, marking the county boundary which was defined in the same year. The bridge survived the great flood of February 1753, though the turnpike house and 50 pounds in tolls were swept away. The restoration of 1781 by Thomas Bott followed. In 1795 John Carr, the North Riding's County Surveyor and a nationally renowned architect, widened the bridge upstream by approximately 5 metres in a style matching the medieval bridge. In 1822 the carriageway was dug up and relaid following McAdam's principles of road building. Tolls on the bridge ceased in 1879.

Today the bridge forms part of a ceremonial tradition whereby at its centre a sword known as the Conyers Falchion, normally housed in the treasury of Durham Cathedral, is presented to each new Bishop of Durham upon entering the diocese for the first time.

The bridge is an exceptional example of a monumental medieval multi-span bridge displaying high quality architectural merit, evident in its constructional and decorative detailing and technical skill. The alterations by the renowned national architect and engineer John Carr enhance its significance.