Roman Bridge Penmachno

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument consists of the remains of a single segmental arch bridge, without parapets, laying across the lower reaches of the Afon Machno. It precedes the 19th century Pont-y-Pandy to the SW and is thought to be of 16th or 17th century date.

Constructed on a slight diagonal to the narrow gorge it crosses, the maximum abutment span is some 15m. Where the abutments flare to meet the gorge walls, they are 4.5m wide, tapering inward to 3m at the arch proper. The bridge stonework consists of large, roughly-dressed pieces of local slate/shale, in the nature of slabs. Abutment stonework is laid dry, with the arch only mortared. In the centre the latter is 0.5 m deep, exhibiting a fine drip-course around its complete curve. Originally having a cobbled surface, this is now only intact on the NW end and the abutment splay on the SE.

It may be identified with 'Pontrhydgynon' referred to as an 'ancient bridge' in a 1662 general sessions report.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval or post-medieval construction techniques and transportation systems. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information concerning chronology and building techniques.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.