Baluster Bridge and Gate Piers

The Baluster Bridge and gate piers are an ornamental bridge over the River Avon, built in 1775 and rebuilt by Sir William Chambers. It is constructed from limestone and features three segmental arches with archivolts and rusticated stonework. The bridge has a wide band at the base of the parapet, with a balustrade made up of continuous balusters that terminate in flattened scrolls, linking at an angle to the piers. There are cutwaters on both sides of the bridge. At the entrance to the bridge, octagonal tapered bollards restrict traffic to the center. At the north end, there are two gate piers that are lined with rusticated stone, topped with a cornice and block, although the finials are missing. Wrought iron gates and pedestrian gates are located outside the piers. The bridge has group value as part of the landscape works designed by Henry Flitcroft from 1726 to 1730 and Charles Bridgeman from 1730 to 1738, with further additions made by others during the 18th century.