Wilton Bridge And Sundial

Wilton Bridge is a substantial stone bridge dating from around 1560, constructed of sandstone ashlar with concrete reinforcement. An Act of Parliament in 1597 authorised its construction, and it was completed within the following two years. The bridge was altered in 1914. It features six semi-circular arches, each with three ribs. Massive cutwaters are present on each side, rising and splaying back from the outer angle at parapet level to form semi-hexagonal refuges. A moulded string runs up to the angle above the arch spandrels, then mitres across to create a label above the arches. The voussoirs of the arches are chamfered and joggled, displaying various masons' marks. The upstream side of the bridge has been widened with a replacement steel crash barrier where the original parapet once stood. The south-east approach to the bridge has been rebuilt in ashlar with two flights of stone steps leading down to the river bank.

Adjacent to the bridge is an early 18th-century sandstone ashlar and limestone sundial. It is diagonally set within a refuge on the south side. The sundial consists of a square pedestal with moulded and fielded side panels, supporting a bulbous, fluted, baluster-shaped shaft with a moulded cornice. Above this is a square limestone pillar bearing a gnomon on each face, topped by a ball finial. An eroded inscription beneath the north gnomon reads: "ESTEEM THEY PRECIOUS TIME / WHICH PASS SO SWIFT AWAY / PREPARE THEE FOR ETERNITY / AND DO NOT MAKE DELAY."