Whistley Pump And Single Span Bridge To Immediately To The South

Whistley Pump and Single Span Bridge

This Grade II listed structure comprises two related elements: a stone bridge dated 1652 and a cast-iron water pump from the late 19th century, located on Whistley Road in Potterne.

The Bridge

The bridge was constructed in 1652 from local Potterne stone. Its northern face features six voussoirs with a keystone inscribed with the date 1652. The lower left voussoir is a single stone that has been scribed with a false joint to create the appearance of two stones, providing symmetry to the arch. The abutment is built of stone rubble, and the parapet is of concrete. Part of the spandrel and parapet were damaged in 2010 when struck by a vehicle accessing the farm. The southern face is largely hidden by later stone rubble revetment walling, but the visible voussoirs and keystone are identical in form to those on the north face. The intrados is of stone rubble.

The Water Pump

The water pump is constructed of cast iron with a fluted pillar, fluted cap, and ball finial. An angled spout projects from the east face. The casing was cast by E.W. Maundrell of Calne between 1888 (when Maundrell took over Gough's Foundry) and 1899 (when Pump Lane is first documented on sales particulars). The pump operates continuously with no visible handle, wheel, or pumping mechanism, functioning as a standpipe fed from springs in the hill beside Pump Lane. Historical mapping has labelled it a water tap, though no tap mechanism is present on the structure. The pump is believed to have functioned continuously since construction.

Historical Context

Potterne developed around numerous springs and a stream flowing through the village. Whistley Road, the main road from the north-west, follows in part the course of this stream. The medieval village's layout is inextricably linked to its historic water supply. The stone bridge was built in the mid-17th century to provide access across the stream to Parsonage Farm and to an unmade path locally known as Pump Lane, and is shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map of 1886. In the late 19th century, the water pump was erected on adjacent land to exploit one of the springs beside Pump Lane, appearing as a water tap on the 3rd edition Ordnance Survey map of 1924.