Retaining wall to Bridge Street

Cadw's description

Location

Situated on the N side of the E half of Bridge Street extending W to Crackwell Street.

History

Earlier C19 retaining wall supporting roadway of Bridge Street. Probably built at about the same time as Paxton's promenade below as on 17/12/1813 the council desired the widening of the lower end of Bridge Street and Sir William Paxton agreed to 'remove the wall on the N side of Bridge Street and to rebuild it at a sufficient distance to the N side so as to widen that street...having at the same time sufficient distance for a good road between the said wall and the top of the circular wall or parapet wall of the Arches on the S side of the road'.

Exterior

High retaining wall in grey limestone rubble with parapet wall to street coped in rough tooled stone. Various openings into brick-vaulted cellars under roadway. To left, door to cellar of St Julian's House. Further along, lean-to C20 shelter adjoining steps up to door to cellar of Pier House. Two blocked square lights with brick heads opposite Sparta House. Door with red brick arch opposite house formerly of Charles Norris.

Reason for designation

Included as a prominent element in the view across the harbour, of group value with the arches of Paxton's promenade (Harbour Stores) below.