Waterworks at Blagdon: Outlet with Portal and Bridge

The water outlet with a portal and bridge at Blagdon was designed by architect and civil engineer Charles Hawksley as part of the Blagdon waterworks, built between 1898 and 1905.

This outlet measures approximately 145 meters long and is lined with stone. It features a short section of stone walling that ends with square-shaped dwarf piers topped with pyramidal stone copings, where it meets the bridge. At the far east end, there is a portal set into the earth dam, constructed from rock-faced stone with stone ashlar dressings. The central opening of the portal has a four-centred arch with a moulded architrave above, which is topped with coved and chamfered coping.

The bridge, which spans the outlet, has a single four-centred arch and rusticated stone facings on both the span and the abutments. These abutments are separated by four pilasters, each topped with square dwarf piers that have pyramidal copings. Between the piers, decorative horizontal cast iron railings are installed, featuring floral brackets at the base of the vertical posts, which are topped with ball finials.

The outlet, portal, and bridge are located within the landscaped grounds of Blagdon Pumping Station, which is situated to the south, and are framed by the steep bank of the earth dam to the east.