Old Bridge At Stream Mill

The Old Bridge at Stream Mill is a single-span bridge, likely dating from the late 18th or early 19th century, with later repairs. It is constructed of ashlar blocks, buttressed with brick repair and stone infill. The bridge deck is of slag with stone protruding from the surface. The keystone and arch are of ashlar, and it features a wooden post parapet. Brick buttresses are of a probable early 19th century type. A spillway on the south side is constructed of stone and brick.

The bridge is closely associated with the nearby mill, located approximately 100 meters to the southeast. Grooves for sluice gates are visible on the north side of the bridge supports, indicating the bridge's role in regulating water flow from the mill pond. The track across the bridge forms a major bridleway, connecting to the Weald and the Vanguard Way.

The bridge's significance is linked to its association with a mill that was originally a hammer mill for iron works. Iron working on the site is documented back to the 15th century, when it was controlled by the Elphic family, described as 'iron masters'. Ownership later passed to the French family, also 'iron masters', and subsequently to James Lullham in the early 17th century. Canon boring took place in the Tudor period south of the bay near the mill. By the early 1800s, iron working had ceased, and the mill operated as a corn mill. Potential earlier fabric within the bridge connects it to the site’s historical iron working use.

The bridge has group value with the nearby listed Stream Farmhouse and Barn, which incorporates 16th and 17th century elements.