Pair Of Bridges Immediately To North West Of Abbey House

This pair of bridges, located immediately to the north-west of Abbey House, dates from the 18th century and was likely constructed around 1775 by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown for the Sandbeck estate of the Earl of Scarbrough. They are made of irregular magnesian limestone blocks, with one bridge featuring ashlar voussoirs. The two single-span bridges flank a small island in the stream to the west of Abbey House. The western bridge has an 18th-century round arch set beneath crudely laid rubble walling, although the upstream side of this bridge has collapsed. The south side of the eastern bridge, dating from around 1775, showcases irregular blocks arranged in a Grotto-style with a pendant keystone, and the dressed wallstone arch soffit flares out upstream. These bridges are remnants of the landscaping scheme for Roche Abbey that Brown worked on between 1774 and 1777, as detailed in a surviving contract at Sandbeck Park, which specifies that he was to complete all aspects of the Valley of Roche Abbey according to the ideas agreed upon with Lord Scarbrough.