Radcot Bridge

Infobox_Bridge
bridge_name=Radcot Bridge


caption=Radcot Bridge
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carries=A4095 road
crosses=River Thames
locale= Radcot, Oxfordshire
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height= convert|11|ft|4|in|m
clearance=
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open= c 1200
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Radcot Bridge is a crossing of the River Thames in England, south of Radcot, Oxfordshire and not far north of Faringdon, Oxfordshire (formerly Berkshire). It carries the A4095 road across the river on the reach above Radcot Lock. Adjoining the bridge is the Swan Inn and slight earthworks of Matilda's Castle.

The Bridges

There are in fact three stone bridges at this point on the Thames, from south to north: Radcot Bridge, the Canal Bridge and Pidnell Bridge. Bizarrely, the first is nearest to Pidnell (a hamlet in Faringdon parish) and the last is nearest to Radcot. Whilst built on the Thames, Radcot Bridge is strictly speaking, now on a backwater, since the construction, in 1787, of a new cut for the Thames and Severn Canal. The "Canal Bridge" was built at the same time.

Radcot Bridge is often claimed as the "oldest bridge on the Thames", having been built, with pointed arches of Taynton stone, around 1200. The Cistercian monks of St Mary at Citeaux in Normandy were granted land for the purpose by King John. Much of the structure was broken down during the famous battle which took place here in 1387, although it was apparently reconstructed six years later. The bridge was again severely damaged during the Wars of the Roses, and was largely rebuilt as we see it today with a flattened centre arch.

Radcot Bridge became a toll bridge and its wharf was commercially important as the highest shipping point on the Thames, with the junction of the Severn-Thames canal not far away at Lechlade (Gloucestershire).

The bridges also carry the Thames Path across the river.

ee also

*Crossings of the River Thames

External links

* [http://www.faringdon.org/hyradcot.htm Faringdon Online: Radcot Bridge]
* [http://wantage.com/museum/Local_History/New%20Bridge.pdf Vale & Downland Museum: New Bridge - Oldest Bridge over the Thames]

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