Swilgate Bridge

Swilgate Bridge is a road bridge over a stream, built in 1635 and later repaired in 1750, widened and raised in 1756 and again in 1827. It is constructed from sandstone, brick, and concrete. The bridge features a single arch that carries the main road from Gloucester to Tewkesbury, which became a turnpike in the mid-18th century. The central section showcases good cut stone vaulting, while the sides are extended with splayed brick abutments and some concrete filling for stabilization. The horizontal parapets are topped with heavy sandstone weathered copings and quoins, and at the southern end, there are two bays of simple railing supported by two posts. On the upstream side, a central keystone in the brick arch is marked with the date 1827. A Bench Mark is located on the downstream parapet. This early structure predates the turnpike road, which originally forked to the west towards Lower Lode, just beyond the bridge, before being realigned to its current southern position. The bridge was formerly known as Holm Bridge and is mentioned as such in 1540; it is said to have been a drawbridge until its reconstruction in stone in 1635, with the central stone span likely dating from that time.