Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Caerleon Bridge
Caerleon, Newport, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Transport
- Date of designation
- 18 January 2002
- Locality
- Caerleon
- Town
- Newport
- Community
- Caerleon
- Unitary authority
- Newport
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.60733, -2.95282
- Cadw reference
- 26120
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1636 "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
At the southern entrance to Caerleon carrying the main road from Newport (B4596).
History
Caerleon Bridge was built in 1806-12 by David Edwards. Attributed to William Jessop [1781-1826], engineer; and contractor was a Mr Hodgekinson. It marked the end of Caerleon as a port as the larger ships could no longer reach the quay, but it had already been by-passed by the Monmouthshire Canal which had opened in 1799. The building of this bridge is part of the improvement of the road from Newport to Usk. Caerleon Road was also constructed in 1810, which by-passed the village and allowed the removal of the old timber bridge. The footbridge was added to the upstream side in 1974.
Exterior
The bridge is built of coursed squared near ashlar red sandstone, with dressed freestone to the arches and an attached steel and concrete footbridge. Three elliptical arches with projecting cutwaters on both faces. The downstream face is unaltered and has a small strip pilaster on either side of the central arch. The upstream face has the cutwaters built up to support the footbridge which is otherwise clear of the main bridge. The parapets of the main bridge are slightly recessed and are stone coped. The footbridge has steel girders and plain railings.
Reason for designation
Special historic and architectural interest as a turnpike bridge of 1806-12, built by David Edwards and possibly designed by William Jessop. It has survived altered only by the footbridge attached in 1974.
Nearby in the register
- Quay Wall and Slip at the Hanbury ArmsTransportunder 1 mi
- The Old Toll HouseTransportunder 1 mi
- Tower to the south west of, and attached to, The Hanbury ArmsDefenceunder 1 mi
- Medieval Tower at Hanbury ArmsTowerunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.