Croome Court Bridge

The Green Oak Carpentry Company are delighted to have been commissioned by the National Trust to re-build the original William Halfpenny Chinese Bridge. Croome Court was the family seat of the Coventry family from the mid 17th century until 1949. Croome then passed into National Trust management in 1996 and has since that time undergone extensive renovation, still in progress to the present day.

Shown here is the original design for the bridge by William Halfpenny and which has proven invaluable in the reconstruction of the structure. Timber section sizes were given and as much as possible followed.

The bridge was built for the 6th Earl of Coventry in 1751, shortly after completion the house and garden underwent further extensive construction works by ‘Capability’ Brown and Robert Adam. Compare this view with the next image.

The bridge can just be seen bottom left in this painting by Richard Wilson in 1758. Archaeologists have determined the exact location of the original bridge structure and determined that the width may have been slightly wider. Our structure is six feet across.

The bridge pylons stand in the moat and are built onto newly installed caissons. Above the waterline the timber is fresh sawn oak entire, below the surface Greenheart has been used. Greenheart is also used for sea wall defences and ‘groynes’ where strength and durability are required.

View from the crown of the bridge towards the main house. All joints are draw bored mortise and tenons held with cleft oak pegs.

The stonework for the abutments newly rebuilt in readiness for our installation. Greenheart has again been used for the ‘earth-fast posts and ground bearing beams.

View from the crown to the park beyond. In the mid seventeenth century ‘Chinoiserie’ was at the height of its popularity, vying with ‘Gothic Revival’ for ascendancy.

Finials were made from laminated air dried Oak and turned at a local workshop. The gate is to stop livestock getting over the bridge into the gardens of the main house.

This is our 3D model produced of the bridge and which part of our design commission for the National Trust. Close collaboration with The Morton Partnership Consulting Engineers was essential, and to whom we are indebted for their support and encouragement.

Carpentry started in March 2015 and the new bridge opened to the public in June 2015. Later when drier, the whole bridge structure will be painted in a traditional white oil bound distemper to match what we believe may have been the original surface decoration. We think the project is an outstanding success and have enjoyed our collaboration with all involved.