Building record 0420802020 - PALLADIAN BRIDGE

Brief description (B4).
Brief description in c.1862 (B5).
Description & location plan (B7).
Grade I. Covered bridge. Building in 1738, one year after the similar bridge at Wilton House, Wiltshire, of which it is a near copy. At first the east side had a solid wall with sculpture, removed and columns substituted 1762. Ashlar stone, rusticated to bridge, 3 arches with carved keyblocks. 5 bay Ionic colonnade flanked by pedimented pavilions with attached columns framing semi-circular headed arches with scroll keyblocks to sides. Carved heads to ends. Balustraded parapet to bridge. Coffered ceiling with colonnade (B14).
The National Trust Survey of Stowe undertaken in 1989 notes that the solid wall relief carving was removed in 1762 and re-used on the pediment of the Temple of Concord and Victory (B13,B20).
Included in English Heritage's Buildings at Risk Registers. In 1999-2006 described as priority 3 (D): 'Slow decay; solution agreed but not yet implemented'. In 2007 described as priority E: 'Under repair…'; in 2008-9 priority D: 'Steady decay…Holding repairs carried out but more work needed'; in 2011 priority D: 'Slow decay, solution agreed but not yet implemented'; in 2015-2018 priority C: 'Slow decay; no solution agreed'; in 2019-2024 priority A: 'Immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric; no solution agreed'. (B33,B37-39,B43,B45,B48,B54,B64,B68-70,B73,B76-77,B82,B84-85).