Great Bow Bridge

The Great Bow Bridge across the Parrett at Langport is a substantial stone arch structure at the west end of this historic small town. The bridge appears to have been rebuilt in 1841 as part of local improvements to the navigation of the River Yeo as far downstream as Ilchester, and at the same time an alternative channel was cut through the town, being crossed by the Little Bow Bridge.

The bridge consists of three stone arches, constructed in local limestone, with the two piers sitting in the river. The arches are relatively flat, to minimise the bump on the road, whilst still allowing sufficient room for flood waters to pass underneath. This shape would also have allowed barges along the river while it was still an important navigational route, before the railways became the preferred transport method. The bridge is decorated by a string course above the arches, and further stone bands around the piers.

However, this was not the first bridge on this site. Records dating back to the 1200s mention a bridge across the Parrett at Langport, and so it should be assumed that this is just the last in a long line of crossings on this site.

Cocklemoor Bridge

Cocklemoor Bridge

Immediately downstream of the Great Bow Bridge is a metal footbridge, known as Cocklemoor Bridge. The bridge was built in 2006 following a competition to provide a new route across the river, and is a lightweight design which spans the river in one 27m leap. The whole structure is slightly arched, including the footway, and supported by tensile rods angled downwards to meet beams suspended under the deck.