Stopham Bridge

Stopham Bridge is a Grade I listed structure located on the Petworth Road in Pulborough, spanning the River Arun, which marks the boundary between the former Chanctonbury and Petworth Rural Districts. There is some debate regarding the bridge's age; T.W. Horsfield's History of Sussex suggests it was built in 1309, while A.A. Evans cites 1423 in the Sussex County Magazine in 1936. E. Jervoise notes that the original bridge was constructed in 1347, with the current structure being a replacement from the 16th century. The most likely date for the present bridge is 1422-23. One span was destroyed during the Civil War and replaced by a drawbridge, which was fenced in 1650. The center arch was raised in 1822, a date inscribed on it. The bridge is made of ironstone and features a high segmental arch in the center, flanked by two lower round-headed arches. Blunt cutwaters are positioned between the arches, extending above the water level on the south side as half hexagonal buttresses that create pedestrian recesses. On the north side, the cutwaters rise to the full height of the bridge, forming triangular recesses. The bridge suffered significant damage from Army lorries during the war but has since been repaired.