Pill Bridge, Ilchester

1.

2.

3.

4.

near Ilchester, Somerset

This is a narrow three-arch stone bridge carrying the Pill Bridge Drove (now a public footpath) across the River Yeo (Ivel). It is approximately 50ft long with a walkway just 4 - 5 ft wide. The original bridge was built in the 13thC, but the present bridge dates from the 17thC.

Listed Grade II.

See here for Historic England listing and map.

An unusual feature is the use of wrought iron clamps to tie the masonry parapet blocks together. The clamps are U-shaped, with a tie bolt at the top. Photo 2 shows that on the outside, two layers of blocks are tied together, the horizontal part of the clamp being bedded in the mortar joint. Photo 3 shows that on the inner face three layers are tied together. The side faces of the clamps are recessed in grooves cut in the masonry. The bolts are set in grooves and bedded in lead. The bolt in Photo 4 has its side exposed due to a layer of capping stone having spalled off.

1896 Highways Board - Survryor's report: 'I have also inspected Pill Bridge, near Ilchester. This bridge is stone built, contains three arches, and is about fifty feet in length and four feet wide. The two ends of the parapet wall on the up stream side require re-building at cost of about 28s. The bridge throughout should also be stopped in with good mortar and pointed with cement. I unable to say whether one-half of this bridge is in the Langport Highway District not, as it appears that the driftway on that side of the bridge runs between two parishes, and in my opinion the parish that claims the driftway should also have that half of the bridge.'

See Also

Loading...