MSO9409 - Gallox Packhorse Bridge, Dunster (Building)

Summary

A packhorse bridge spanning the River Avill on the southern outskirts of Dunster. It is possibly of 15th century date, and has two slightly pointed arches with double arch rings. The bridge leads to a causeway skirting a ford on the north side.

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Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

[SS 9895 4321] Gallox Bridge [NR]. [1] Gallox Bridge, Dunster, on the River Avill, is a packhorse bridge with two slightly pointed arches and a roadway width of approximately 3 feet 3 inches. [2] Scheduled. [3] The bridge is as described above (8). [4] Gallox Bridge, Grade I, Park Street. Possibly 15th century, narrow stone packhorse bridge. Possibly 15th century. Narrow stone packhorse bridge on two arches, central cutwater to west side. Stone parapets, parapet on one side bordering the approach footpath. (For full description see list.). [5] Additional bibliography. [6] A packhorse bridge which spans the River Avill on the southern outskirts of Dunster. It has a roadway width of 1.2 metres, a total width of 1.9 metres amd is 13.5 metres long. It has two arches which are slightly pointed and have double arch rings. The bridge leads to a causeway skirting a ford on the north side. It is still used as a public footbridge, and is a survivor of the simple type of stone bridge to be found in the West Country and elsewhere. It is reputed to be of 15th century date. The bridge is Scheduled and Listed Grade I. It is in the care of the Secretary of State. [7?] Bridge length 10.5 metres and 1.2 metres wide. The two arches are slightly pointed and have double arch rings. Each side has four narrow chamfered ribs. There is a cut-water on the upstream side only. The bridge leads to a causeway skirting a ford on the north side. [9] Scheduled area revised with new national number on 28 June 1996, was Somerset 149. [10] The Scheduled Monument Condition Assessment of 2009 gave the site a survival score of 0. [11] The bridge is included within Dunster's Conservation Area. [12] The building was visited in September 2012 as part of the rapid condition survey of Exmoor's Listed Buildings 2012-13. It received a BAR score of 6. [13] The site was surveyed in April 2015 as part of the 2015 Exmoor Scheduled Monument Condition Assessment. It was given a survival score of 8. [14] The structure is depicted at SS 9895 4322 on 2018 MasterMap data. It is labelled "Gallox Bridge". [15]

Sources/Archives (15)

  • <1> Map: Ordnance Survey. Various. Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date) . 6 inch / 1928-38.
  • <2> Monograph: Thompson, W.H.. 1934. Somerset Regional Survey. 57.
  • <3> Index: Ministry of Works. 1961. List of Ancient Monuments of England and Wales. P. 84.
  • <4> Unpublished document: Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigators Comments. 26 May 1965.
  • <5> Index: 4/8/1983. Twenty-fifth List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. District of West Somerset (Somerset).
  • <6> Monograph: Jervoise, E.. 1930. The Ancient Bridges of the South of England. Architectural Press. P. 114.
  • <7> Unpublished document: English Heritage. 4.7.1996. English Heritage to Somerset County Council.
  • <8> Photograph: GALLOX BRIDGE - POSSIBLE 15TH CENTURY PACKHORSE BRIDGE AT DUNSTER, FROM NORTH EAST. OS65/F124/3. B/W.
  • <9> Report: Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission. Field Monument Warden Report.
  • <10> Index: Scheduled Monument Notification . 28 June 1996.
  • <11> Report: Bray, L.S.. 2010. Scheduled Monument Condition Assessment 2009, Exmoor National Park.
  • <12> Unpublished document: Fisher, J.. 2002. Dunster Conservation Area Character Appraisal. p19.
  • <13> Report: Lawrence, G.. 2014. Exmoor National Park: Rapid condition survey of listed buildings 2012-13.
  • <14> Report: Gent, T. and Manning, P.. 2015. Exmoor National Park Scheduled Monument Condition Survey 2015.
  • <15>XY Map: Ordnance Survey. 2018. MasterMap. [Mapped feature: #41250 ]

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • 2012-3 Building At Risk Score (6): 26/4/73
  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO11991
  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO12110
  • Guardianship Monument
  • Guardianship Number: 194
  • Listed Building List Entry UID: 264705
  • Local List Status (No)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 94 SE3
  • National Park: Exmoor National Park
  • Pastscape / NRHE HOB UID: 36854
  • Somerset SMR PRN (Somerset): 34621
  • Somerset SMR PRN: 34973

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 9895 4322 (16m by 33m)
Map sheet SS94SE
Civil Parish DUNSTER, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (2)

Related Articles (1)

Record last edited

Apr 13 2021 7:43AM

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