King John's Bridge

King John's Bridge is a road bridge over the River Mill Avon, originally built around 1190. It has undergone frequent repairs and rebuilds, with significant work completed in 1747, 1783, and 1810, culminating in major restructuring in 1824. The general reconstruction was finished in 1962. The bridge is constructed of coursed sandstone ashlar and features five low segmental arches arranged in two square recessed orders. A fifth arch, located near the eastern end, is higher than the others and has triangular cutwaters with refuges on each side. The bridge includes heavy weathered coping, and the abutments extend approximately 27 meters to the west. On the north side, there is a plaque providing historical information, including a long quotation from Leland in 1769 about King John's involvement with the earlier bridge. The low arches are supported by a series of heavy square ribs that span about two-thirds of the road width, and some masonry on the upstream side appears to have survived the 1962 rebuild. On the downstream side to the west, a set of 14 steps leads down to the riverside walk, breaking through the parapet.