Description

SS 43 NE BRAUNTON VELATOR

7/64 Velator Bridge
-

- II

Road bridge over River Caen. Probably circa 1815 and probably by James Green, the
County Surveyor. Shale rubble. Single span wide segmental arch with dressed shale
voussoirs. Parapets have vertically coursed shale capping.
Velator Bridge was probably built in association with the reclamation of Braunton
Marsh.
Braunton Marsh was probably reclaimed in the Middle Ages from tidal waters of the
River Taw, but from 1811-15 the marsh was more extensively drained after
authorization by Act of Parliament (1811) as a result of the endeavours of the Lords
of the Manors of Braunton Gorges, Braunton Abbotts, Braunton Arundel and Saunton and
others who had grazing rights on the marshes. They sought to enclose Braunton Marsh
which was regularly flooded by tidal water. 949 acres were reclaimed. John Pascoe
was the surveyor and James Green (County Surveyor) the engineer. The adjacent
Horsey Island to the south east was reclaimed between 1852-1857.
Historically these late enclosures are particularly interesting in Braunton where
the Great Field immediately north of the marsh is one of only 3 open field systems
to survive in England. Although today (1984) there are only 5 farmers on the Great
Field their holdings are still widely dispersed over the field as they were in the
Middle Ages when there were about 100 farmers.
Reference : A H Slee Trans.Devonshire Assoc. (1969) Vol.100, pp.101-110.
W G Hoskins and H P R Finberg, Devonshire Studies pp.265-271 and p.332.

Listing NGR: SS4855735718

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26400918

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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