Durweston Bridge is located north-west of Blandford Forum in the Village of Durweston. It is a three-span masonry arch bridge carrying the A357 over the River Stour at the junction with the A350.
The bridge comprises of three round headed arches with triangular cutwaters. Elevations are ashlar with stone copings on top of the parapets. The bridge is restricted to alternate one-way traffic and controlled with signals.
The bridge was built 1795. It was designed by Joseph Towsey for H. W. Portman of
Bryanston and built so that roads crossing the parkland around Bryanston could be closed and the traffic diverted around the park boundary. The stone used is said to have been recycled from the demolition from 1775 to 1782 of Eastbury House. a huge grand design by Sir John Vanbrugh built from 1713 to 1738 for George Doddington and his nephew George Bubb in the parish of Tarrant Gunville.
A plaque on the bridge attests its construction date and authorship of the bridge. The bridge also bears a transportation plaque warning that persons damaging the bridge will be transported for life:
ANY PERSON WILFULLY INJURING ANY PART OF THIS COUNTY BRIDGE WILL BE GUILTY OF FELONY AND UPON CONVICTION LIABLE TO BE TRANSPORTED FOR LIFE
BY THE COURT
T. FOOKS7 & 8 GEO 4 C30 S13
The building is Grade II Listed reference 103125 (Durweston Bridge). Only 10 bridges on Dorset have this status.
The boundary between the parishes of Durwesto
n and Stourpaine runs along the centre of the carriageway crossing the bridge.
You must be logged in to post a comment.