Pilton Bridge And Causeway South Of Pilton Quay Including Gates And Piers To Pilton Park

The Pilton Bridge and causeway cross and skirt the River Yeo, south of Pilton Quay. The original causeway dates back to 1451, with the bridge rebuilt in 1678. It was widened by 3 metres in 1821.

The bridge is constructed of rubble with granite coping. It features two round arches springing from a central pier with a low cutwater on the western side – the eastern side is buried beneath late 20th-century roadworks. A shallow buttress rises above the cutwater to a plain string course just above the voussoirs of the arches, with a similar buttress at the southern end. There is a parapet on the western side only. The underside of the bridge appears to show evidence of two separate construction phases.

A continuing parapet, with chamfered granite coping, runs along the western side of the causeway, interrupted by four gates. The most northerly gate is a late 20th-century addition. The two central gates, leading into Pilton Park, are from the mid-to-late 19th century, with square stone ashlar piers and moulded tops; the pyramidal caps appear to have been replaced in concrete. Original cast-iron gates survive, featuring spearheads and circular panels displaying flowers. At the base of these gates are intersecting diagonal braces with a boss bearing an illegible inscription. The southern gate, also leading into the park, has piers of coursed stone rubble with pyramidal caps encased in cement.

A historical note records that in 1451 Bishop Lacey granted an indulgence to those contributing to the bridge and causeway’s construction between Pilton and Barnstaple. A stone found during the 1897 construction of the Lynton and Barnstaple railway was inscribed with details of the 1821 widening, noting it was achieved by public subscription and carried out by Shaddick and Knill, the builders.

The bridge over the mill leat to the south is not included in the listing.