Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Machynlleth Bridge
Machynlleth, Powys, Wales
A scheduled monument in Machynlleth, Powys, recorded as Bridge (Post Medieval/Modern).
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Bridge
- Period
- Post Medieval/Modern
- Community
- Machynlleth
- Unitary authority
- Powys
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 52.60047, -3.85573
- SAM number
- MG002
- Cadw record number
- 728
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesBayerische Staatsbibliothek, MunichDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1588 map "Ortelius, Abraham: Theatro De La Tierra Universal. 0" (Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1588 · Ortelius, Abraham: Theatro De La Tierra Universal. 0 (Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich)
- 1608 · (13) Cambriae Typus. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1896 · Sheet 7. Ordnance Survey of England and Wales. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1899 · 149 Barmouth (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1901 · Sheet 9 and 10. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Summary description and reason for designation
The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.
The monument consists of the remains of a bridge, dating to 1805, in the post-medieval period. The bridge spans the river Dyfi and consists of 5 segmental stone arches, all of one build, forming a total span of 64m. The width between the parapets is c.5.5m. Small pilasters are present above the cutwaters on both sides. Steel reinforcement bars have been incorporated into the structure of the bridge in the first two parapets from the south end in view of sheer weight of water during flooding. Records from the time of construction suggest that the bridge was constructed on dry land and the river then diverted to run underneath it, although there is no evidence on the ground to suggest that the course of the river has been substantially altered at this point. It may have been constructed alongside, and slightly downstream of a 17th century bridge; successive bridges are recorded here or nearby from the early 15th century onwards.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of 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.
Nearby in the register
- Pont ar Dyfi (partly in Machynlleth Community)Transportunder 1 mi
- Pont-ar-Dyfi (Partly in Corris community)Transportunder 1 mi
- Pen-y-bont CottagesDomesticunder 1 mi
- Pen-y-bont CottagesDomesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.