Bath Bridge, Tetbury

Bath Bridge carries the Bath road, now the A433, across the valley on the south side of Tetbury and up into the town. Thomas Webb built it in 1774 to 1776, and its four stone arches, every one a different size because the bridge climbs the hill, are listed Grade II.

History

Bath Bridge was part of a burst of improvement in Georgian Tetbury. The Victoria County History pairs it with the new church of St Mary as the works that improved the south side of the town in the 1770s; the church, by Francis Hiorn of Warwick, is dated 1781 on its listing. Tetbury stands on a hill, with the River Avon on its east side and a tributary brook to the south, and the bridge carries the road from Bath over that valley. The older way in from the south-west crossed the brook at Cutwell Bridge, a packhorse bridge of about 1622.

What to look for

The bridge is built of coursed rubble stone on four shallow arches of wedge-shaped stones. The lowest arch, at the south end, is blocked, and because the roadway rises towards the town each arch is a different size from its neighbour. That is easier to see from the side than from the pavement on top.

Visiting

Bath Bridge is a working road bridge, open at all times and free, with a pavement. Take care with the traffic on the A433.

Getting there

Bath Bridge is on the A433 Bath Road at the south end of Church Street, a few minutes' walk from the Market Place. Buses link Tetbury with Cirencester, Kemble station, Stroud and Bath from Monday to Saturday, with no Sunday buses. Tetbury's car parks include the free Old Railyard car park by the Goods Shed, where the Tetbury town walk starts, and the Chipping car park off Chipping Street. The Tetbury town walk crosses Cutwell Bridge and then, a few minutes later, walks back into town over Bath Bridge.

Nearby

From the top of the bridge it is a short climb up Church Street to St Mary's Church and the Market House. The Snooty Fox and the Close Hotel are a few minutes' walk, and St Saviour's is on the far side of the town.