- Radcot Bridge
Infobox_Bridge
bridge_name=Radcot Bridge
caption=Radcot Bridge
official_name=
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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long=Radcot Bridge is a crossing of the
River Thames in England, south ofRadcot ,Oxfordshire and not far north ofFaringdon , Oxfordshire (formerly Berkshire). It carries theA4095 road across the river on the reach aboveRadcot 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 theThames 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, around1200 . TheCistercian monk s of St Mary atCiteaux inNormandy were granted land for the purpose by King John. Much of the structure was broken down during the famous battle which took place here in1387 , although it was apparently reconstructed six years later. The bridge was again severely damaged during theWars 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]River item line|upstream = northern bank
Bloomers Hole Footbridge
downstream = southern bankTadpole Bridge
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