Bow Bridge

BLACKAWTON BOW SX84NW Bow Bridge 5/30 II

Bridge over a stream (The Gara). Late C17 (dated 168-), widened in C18 or C19. Local slate rubble with dressed slate arch ring. A single span bridge with a dressed slate segmental arch springing from straight jambs with chamfered imposts. Low stone rubble parapets with vertical slate lacing. The parapets continue over long abutments. Inside the north west parapet there is a stone plaque inscribed "This Bridge was built by County .......... 168-", part of the inscription is illegible. The bridge was originally about 12 feet wide and widened on the south east downstream side by about 7 feet, judging by a masonry joint on the underside of the arch. James Green the County Surveyor of Bridges, mentions in 1809 that Bow Bridge on "the great road from Kingsbridge to Dartmouth" had then only a 6 foot roadway. Therefore if this is the same bridge it would have been widened on the upstream, north west, side and not on the downstream side as previously stated. Source: C Henderson and E Jervoise, Old Devon Bridges, pp 29 and 30.

Listing NGR: SX8071349378