Details

The monument includes the standing and buried remains of a small medieval
bridge, which crosses a south flowing tributary stream of the Yazor Brook some
5km north west of Hereford. The bridge, which dates to around the 14th
century, is constructed of roughly dressed sandstone blocks and is carried on
a segmental pointed arch with a span of 2.5m. It is 5.2m wide and rises 1.4m
above the stream, and is crossed by an earth track.
All modern fencing is excluded from the scheduling although the ground beneath
it is included.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Single span bridges were in use for much of the medieval period as a means of
enabling laden animals and vehicles to cross narrow watercourses. The most
prominent feature is the arch, which varies in span and shape although the
most common form was the pointed arch which was in use until about the 15th
century.
Early examples were constructed of timber and, although wood continued to be
used throughout the medieval period, stone was used from at least the 12th
century, and particularly in the 14th and 15th centuries.
Medieval single span bridges are rare and all examples are considered worthy
of protection.

The bridge at Stretton Sugwas has survived largely unchanged since medieval
times. It will retain information relating to its method of construction, and
limited disturbance in the area around the bridge will have resulted in the
survival of archaeological remains relating to its construction and use. The
bridge is clearly visible from the public footpath which crosses it.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
RCHM, RCHM Herefordshire Volume 2, (1932)

Source: Historic England