Ornamental Bridge over the Rising Brook, c.100m to the south-west of Lakeside

Ornamental bridge, built in the 1790s for Assheton Curzon of Hagley Hall, possibly by Joe Illidge of Northwich and Lostock.

MATERIALS: stone with wrought and cast iron.

DESCRIPTION: a single-span ornamental bridge consisting of a low segmental arch constructed from rusticated V-jointed voussoirs, which have vermiculated rustication. The abutments have shallow rustication with V-jointed ashlar and a band of stone coping carved with vitruvian scroll ornamentation runs across the top of the stonework. Surmounting this is a wrought-iron balustrade which is ornamented with a lattice pattern to the lower section over which runs a band of concentric circles. This, in turn, is topped by a cast-iron hand rail; a section of balustrade to the west face is missing. The four circular stone end piers are surmounted by stone vases; that to the south-west is inscribed JOE ILLIDGE NORTHWICH and that to the north-west is inscribed JOE ILLIDGE LOSTOCK