Scheduled Monument record MDR1076 - Viator's Bridge, Newton Grange
Type and Period (2)
- PACKHORSE BRIDGE (Elizabethan to Victorian - 1600 AD? to 1900 AD?)
- FOOTBRIDGE (Victorian to 21st Century - 1900 AD? to 2050 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
Full Description
Viator's Bridge, Newton Grange, a 17th century structure.
Viator's Bridge Milldale. A packhorse bridge of very rough masonry and two segmental arches, now carrying a footpath over the River Dove. (1, 6)
'Viator or Wheelbarrow Bridge is mentioned by Isaac Walton in "The Compleat Angler" 1653.' (2)
'SK 1391 5466. A stone foot or horse bridge 1.2 metres wide between parapets of two arches each six metres wide. It has no dateable features, but almost certainly dates from before 1714.' (3)
'SK 138 547. Viator's Bridge is recorded in Staffordshire as SMR 4842.' (4)
The bridge known as Viator's Bridge is described in the 5th edition of The Compleat Angler from 1676, within which a journey from Ashbourne to Beresford Hall is described by Charles Cotton. The travellers journeyed west from Hanson Grange and they crossed the River Dove. Cotton describes his companion Viator's reaction on seeing the bridge. He exclaimed 'What's here? The sign of a bridge? Do you use to travel with wheelbarrows in this country? … Because this bridge was certainly made for nothing else; why a mouse can hardly go over it: 'tis not two fingers broad'. There is also an illustration of the bridge in the book which shows its stone structure and its two arches but no parapet. In the picture it is accessed by a hollow way. It is likely that the modern name for the bridge derives from Charles Cotton's companion in the account. (5-6)
From the National Heritage List for England (for the Listed Building):
'SK 15 SW PARISH OF NEWTON GRANGE MILLDALE 4/52
13.9.1967 Viators Bridge
II
Bridge. C17 or earlier. Coursed rubble limestone, squared stone below. Two segmental arches with dripmould above. Triangular cut waters. Upper walls splayed at each end and with rough curved copings. A pack horse bridge associated with Isaak Walton and Charles Cotton. See also Alstonefield, Staffordshire Moorlands District.
Listing NGR: SK1391254662.'
(7)
From the National Heritage List for England (for the Scheduled Monument):
'Summary
Not currently available for this entry.
Reasons for Designation
Not currently available for this entry.
History
Not currently available for this entry.
Details
This record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records. As such they do not yet have the full descriptions of their modernised counterparts available. Please contact us if you would like further information.'
(8)
Sources/Archives (8)
- <1> SDR179 Bibliographic reference: Jervoise, E. 1932. The Ancient Bridges of Mid and Eastern England. 17-18.
- <2> SDR15111 Bibliographic reference: Holmes, F A. 1936-1937. Sketch plan 26.
- <3> SDR6454 Bibliographic reference: F1 VJB 12-NOV-57.
- <4> SDR5323 Bibliographic reference: 1978. DOE (IAM) AMs Eng 3. 98.
- <5> SDR12891 Bibliographic reference: Pevsner, N. 1979. The Buildings of England: Derbyshire. 2nd ed., revised. 57.
- <6> SDR20067 Unpublished document: Ullathorne, A (PDNPA). 2004. National Trust South Peak Estate: Area 3, Dovedale South, archaeological survey, 2004. Volume 1: Interpretation and Catalogue of Archaeological Features. 27, Illus. 29.
- <7> SDR19551 Listed Building File: Historic England. 2011. The National Heritage List for England. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1203573?section=official-list-entry.
- <8> SDR19551 Listed Building File: Historic England. 2011. The National Heritage List for England. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1004598?section=official-list-entry.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred SK 13910 54662 (16m by 13m) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | NEWTON GRANGE, DERBYSHIRE DALES, DERBYSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
- EDR1038
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External Links (0)
Record last edited
Aug 27 2025 5:19PM