Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Wye Bridge (partly in Builth Wells)
Llanelwedd, Powys, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Transport
- Date of designation
- 16 December 1952
- Locality
- Llanelwedd
- Community
- Llanelwedd
- Unitary authority
- Powys
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 52.15059, -3.40100
- Cadw reference
- 8802
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 1608 "(13) Cambriae Typus." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
Spanning the River Wye on the N edge of Builth Wells.
History
Built in 1779 by James Parry of Hay. The parapet was rebuilt in 1879. In 1925 the bridge was strengthened and widened to a double carriageway by extending the downstream (E) side. Engineers were W Lewis Harpur and TW Wishlade, county engineers of Brecon and Radnor.
Exterior
A double-carriageway coursed rubble-stone bridge of 6 spans, ramped towards the centre. On the upstream (W) side are pointed stepped cutwaters. On the downstream side are similar but V-shaped cutwaters. Arches, progressively narrower and lower towards the bank, are segmental with prominent keystones. The underside of the bridge has a butt joint distinguishing the 2 phases. A raised band is beneath the parapet, which on the W side was rebuilt in 1879. The central cutwater in each face is carried up full height to form refuges on the parapet.
The refuge on the W side has a stone tablet inscribed 'The bridge was erected at the expence of the counties of Brecon and Radnor by James Parry of Hay in 1779. The original stone after serving its purpose for a hundred years became completely decayed and this stone was put in its place by the inhabitants of Builth in 1879. This bridge was widened and strengthened by the above counties in 1925. Engineers W Lewis Harpur Brecon, TW Wishlade Radnor. Contractor Hybart Broadhead & Co of London'.
Reason for designation
Listed for its special historic interest as a substantial C18 road bridge well preserved and sensitively widened in the early C20.
Nearby in the register
- Wye BridgeTransportunder 1 mi
- Wyeside Arts CentreRecreationalunder 1 mi
- Telephone Call-boxCommunicationsunder 1 mi
- Pillar BoxCommunicationsunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.