Bickleigh Bridge

Bickleigh Bridge is a road bridge over the River Exe, built between 1610 and 1630. It was largely rebuilt in 1809 at a cost of £1,000 after sustaining flood damage, and it was likely widened at that time. The bridge is constructed from local stone rubble, primarily volcanic trap.

This five-span bridge features parapets and cutwaters. The spans vary in length, and the arches differ in height and shape. Evidence suggests that the bridge was widened by about two metres on the upstream (north) side, as indicated by the intrados of the arches and the shorter, more regular cutwaters on that side. The second and third spans from the left on the downstream side have segmental arches with moulding around the arch rings and tall cutwaters topped with pyramidal caps. The left-hand cutwater and pier are wider than the others. The right-hand span and the first span from the left have lower, depressed segmental arches with arch ring mouldings; the left-hand span appears to be a later addition, segmental and without moulding. The cutwater to the right of this arch is shaped like a right-angled triangle. On the upstream side, the cutwaters are lower and have been repaired with iron bands, and there are no mouldings on the arches. The bridge has coped parapets with some concrete repairs, and the structure has also been reinforced with iron ties.

Originally, the site was a ford, and a wooden bridge existed during the reign of Edward III, which was later replaced by a pack-horse bridge at an unknown date. Bickleigh Bridge is a notable road bridge with evidence of a long history of construction and is scheduled as an Ancient Monument.