History in Structure

Waterloo Bridge

A Grade I Listed Building in Betws-y-Coed, Conwy

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Coordinates

Latitude: 53.0852 / 53°5'6"N

Longitude: -3.7954 / 3°47'43"W

OS Eastings: 279845

OS Northings: 355727

OS Grid: SH798557

Mapcode National: GBR 64.9NHR

Mapcode Global: WH663.NQV5

Plus Code: 9C5R36P3+3R

Entry Name: Waterloo Bridge

Listing Date: 30 May 1996

Last Amended: 30 May 1996

Grade: I

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 17827

Building Class: Transport

ID on this website: 300017827

Location: Carrying the A5 at the SE approach to Betws-y-Coed, spanning the Afon Conwy.

County: Conwy

Community: Betws-y-Coed

Community: Betws-y-Coed

Traditional County: Caernarfonshire

Tagged with: Arch bridge Road bridge

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Betws-y-coed

Exterior

History: Cast iron road bridge built 1815-16 by Thomas Telford, engineer, as an important part of the new Shrewsbury to Holyhead road (A5), itself a heroic achievement in contemporary engineering and road building terms. The Waterloo Bridge, originally known as Llynnon Bridge, is thought to be the seventh major iron bridge in the world and with a span of over 30m is an impressive example of early iron technology. Its patriotic decorative expression and jingoistic dating inscription reveal a spirit of pioneering confidence and optimism during this important period of Britain's industrial and political growth. The bridge was founded by W. Hazeldine and the construction foreman was W. Stuttle.

Description: Wide single span iron road bridge, with masonry springing. The segmental arch bears the cast lettering: `This arch was constructed in the same year the battle of Waterloo was fought.' The spandrels contain bold foliate decoration, depicting the national emblems, the rose, thistle, shamrock and leek, partly polychromed. At the Betws end (W) appears, in raised lettering:` Thomas Telford Engineer;' at the E end appear the names of the founder and foreman, and the date 1815 to the centre. The arch soffit is reinforced with modern concrete coffering; the simple cast iron balustrades have been cantilevered outwards slightly in recent years.

Listed Grade 1 as a highly important and imaginatively-designed iron road bridge by Thomas Telford, engineer, a significant example of early iron technology.

References: RCAHMW Caernarvonshire, Vol.1., East, 1956, 20(89).
Atlas to the life of Thomas Telford, 1838).
E Hubbard, Clwyd, Buildings of Wales Series, (1986) p.105.

External Links

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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Other nearby listed buildings

  • I Waterloo Bridge
    Spanning the Afon Conwy and carrying the A5 from Betws-y-Coed to Pentrefoelas.
  • II Beaver Grove House
    Located in its own grounds on the E bank of the Afon Conwy, approximately 200m N of the Waterloo Bridge and opposite Betws-y-Coed; accessed via a pair of gravelled drives running W from the main road.
  • II Milestone
    Located on the NE side of the main trunk road (A5) diagonally opposite Betws-y-Coed police station; set against a rubble wall.
  • II Lodge at Coed-y-Celyn
    To N of main driveway at gated entrance about 1/2 mile S of Waterloo Bridge (A5).
  • II Gates, Gatepiers and Railings at Main Driveway Entrance to Coed-y-Celyn.
    On W side of main road about 750m S of Waterloo Bridge (A5); 100mE of the house.
  • II Plas Muriau
    Situated high above the Conwy Valley and reached from a lane east off the A470. Set in its own landscaped grounds and entered between gate-piers with ball finials and a timber gate.
  • II Coed-y-Celyn
    Located on a slope below the road on the E bank of the River Conwy, approximately 750m S of Waterloo Bridge (A5).
  • II No1 Mountain View, Capel Garmon
    Located on the N side of a lane running SE from the A470 to Capel Garmon; approximately 1km NW of the village; set back behind low rubble garden walls and raised up on a rubble-revetted bank.

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