Topsham Bridge

The asset was previously listed twice also under the parish of Clyst St. George at List entry 1097602. This entry was removed from the List on19 May 2021.

This entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 25 May 2021 to correct the name, and remove superfluous source details from text.

TOPSHAM

871/18/721

BRIDGE HILL

CLYST OR TOPSHAM BRIDGE

11-NOV-52

GV

II

Road bridge over River Clyst. Early C17 or earlier; largely destroyed circa mid C17; rebuilt and widened C18 and C19. Random rubble limestone. Four round main arches and a smaller floodwater arch to west. West arch has remains of springing of an earlier arch exposed on the south side. Dressed limestone arch rings; cutwaters to north and south; parapet with semi-circular coping. Earlier masonry visible under the arches and bridge widened by about 0.7m on either side [SMR].

The bridge was reported in 1647 as having been demolished by the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax and was still "unbuilt to the great prejudices" of the district. Twenty-three years later it was again said to be in decay. There is no date for the rebuilding [former list description for Exeter states that it was built in 1745 by Andrew Parker], but there are at least two builds visible.