Heyford Bridge (That Part In Rousham Civil Parish)

ROUSHAM SP4724 14/197 Heyford Bridge (that part in 27/08/57 Rousham C.P.) (Formerly listed as Heyford Bridge (that part in Chipping Norton R.D.)) GV II* River bridge. Probably C14, altered C17 and widened C19. Coursed squared limestone with some ashlar dressings and some brick repair. Western end of bridge, spanning the main branch of the River Cherwell, has 4 pointed medieval arches, 2 of which retain chamfered ashlar ribs and have added brick linings, but the westernmost arch has no ribs and has C19 outer voussoirs, and the next arch was reduced to half its original span in the C17; between the arches are shallow buttresses, and on either side of the river are square piers rising from triangular buttresses. The bridge extends for approximately 190 metres across the valley, the remainder forming a causeway which has 6 further arches, 2 medieval with chamfered ribs. C19 north face of bridge has corresponding arches with squared voussoirs, those of the main span springing from low triangular cutwaters. Both plain parapets have flat stone copings. The bridge was first recorded in 1255. It forms an important feature in the landscape designed c.1740 by William Kent for Rousham Park. (Rousham Park is included in the H.B.M.C. Register of Parks and Gardens at Grade I; VCH: Oxfordshire: Vol VI, p182; Buildings of England: Oxfordshire: p693; Oxfordshire Museums Information Sheet 17, "Medieval Bridges in Oxfordshire")

Listing NGR: SP4780224778