Skip to main content

Monument record MDR9906 - Whatstandwell Bridge, Whatstandwell, Crich

Type and Period (2)

  • (Georgian to Victorian - 1795 AD to 1900 AD)
  • (Medieval to Georgian - 1400 AD to 1795 AD)

Protected Status/Designation

Full Description

Whatstandwell bridge is Grade II listed triple-arched bridge of ashlar gritstone dated 1796, with semi-circular arches rising from semi-circular cutwaters with domed heads. At either end of the ashlar bridge are arched approaches of coursed rubble gritstone. (1) Dressed gritstone bridge with three main arches to span the river, with two supports in the river itself. On either side two smaller arches span across the flood plain of the river to higher sides of the valley. There is a reference to a bridge built about 1390 by John de Stepul at a ford across the River Derwent, near the house of Walter Stonewell. Toll gate and bridge improvements were carried out by the Nottingham-Newhaven Turnpike Trust about 1776. The present bridge was built in 1795 and paid for by the Duke of Devonshire, the earlier one having been washed away. The bridge was the only crossing of the river between Ambergate and Cromford. (2) The history of the name 'Whatstandwell' and River crossing is well documented. In 1390 John de Stepul agreed with the Abbot of Darley to build a bridge over the Derwent near to a house belonging to Darley Abbey, and the house was defined as that tenanted by Walter Stonewell, hence the later corruption to 'What-standwell'. (3)

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Listed Building File: Historic England. 2011. The National Heritage List for England. List entry number 1335314, 1335351.
  • <2> Index: Mansel Architects. 2004. Cromford Canal Survey. Survey ref: 95.
  • <3> Unpublished document: Morris, M (Mel Morris Conservation). 2005. Summaries of Historic Transport Networks in the Derwent Valley World Heitage Site. p. 2.

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SK 33115 54366 (48m by 8m)
Civil Parish ALDERWASLEY, AMBER VALLEY, DERBYSHIRE
Civil Parish CRICH, AMBER VALLEY, DERBYSHIRE
World Heritage Site Derwent Valley Mills

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • EDR1807

Please contact the HER for details.

External Links (0)

Record last edited

Dec 21 2018 9:27AM

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any more information about this record? Please feel free to comment with information and photographs, or ask any questions, using the "Disqus" tool below. Comments are moderated, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible.