Name: Dunster Gallox Bridge
Rating: 5.0

Dunster Gallox Bridge

Park Street, Dunster, Minehead, Somerset TA24 6SR, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Dunster Gallox Bridge, This late medieval stone bridge - originally 'gallows bridge' - across the River Avill once carried packhorses bringing fleeces from Exmoor to the Somerset market town of Dunster. The town had become a centre of the wool trade by the 13th century, when it was the main source of England's wealth.

The medieval wool trade In the Middle Ages wool was England’s chief export, and the source of much of the country’s wealth. Taxes on wool exports paid for Edward I’s conquest of Wales and his near conquest of Scotland.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

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Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Dunster Gallox Bridge: Gallox Bridge is a fine example of a medieval packhorse bridge used to transport wool across the river Avill for sale in the market town of Dunster.
The medieval wool trade: In the Middle Ages wool was England’s chief export, and the source of much of the country’s wealth. Taxes on wool exports paid for Edward I’s conquest of Wales and his near conquest of Scotland. At this time Dunster flourished as a market and port for wool, fleeces being brought down from the moor to be sold there. Many of them were carried by packhorse across the river Avill via Gallox Bridge, originally the main route into Dunster from the south.
The name of the bridge: The bridge is first mentioned in a document of 1475 but is almost certainly older than this. The next bridge along the road into town (a little to the north, crossing the mill stream) is first recorded a century earlier as ‘Doddebruge’, Dod Bridge.
This bridge is consistently referred to as Gallox Bridge, in a variety of spellings such as Gallocksbrigge, Gallox Bridge or Gallocks Bridge. The name derives from the gallows that stood on a hill outside the town. The gallows were a symbol of the authority of the lords of Dunster Castle, who had the right to try and hang any thief caught within the area of their jurisdiction.
The bridge is 1.2 metres (4 feet) wide and 10.5 metres (32 feet) long, and has two slightly pointed arches. Each side of each arch has narrow chamfered stone ribs. On the upstream (west) face of the bridge, a stone ‘cut-water’ guides the river current through the two arches. On the town (north) side, the bridge parapet is continued along the footpath for some way beside the river, in order to prevent flooding.

Facilities

Parking: There is general parking in the village with 109 spaces, it is then an approximate 1 mile walk through the village to the site. Parking is free for 1 hour, £1.50 for up to 2 hours, £2.50 for up to 4 hours and £4.70 for all day. Parking is non-refundable and payment is with coins only. Parking for both coaches and minibuses is possible, there is no need to prebook but the village is very busy in the summer.
Food & Drinks: shops and restaurants can be found in the centre of the village.
Toilets: Public toilets can be found in the centre of the village.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/gallox-bridge/opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: Park Street, Dunster, Minehead, Somerset TA24 6SR, UK

Post Code: TA24 6SR

Council: Somerset

County: Somerset

Road Access: Located off A396 at the south end of Dunster village.
Bus Access: Beacon Bus service 398. Also Riddlers service 107 (Wed only) & Quantock service 564 (Mon & Fri only). First service 28 and WebberBus services 18 & 106 serve Dunster Steep. From there it is about a 1⁄2 mile walk.
Train Access: Dunster 3⁄4 mile (West Somerset Railway)
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: There is general parking in the village with 109 spaces, it is then an approximate 1 mile walk through the village to the site. Parking is free for 1 hour, £1.50 for up to 2 hours, £2.50 for up to 4 hours and £4.70 for all day. Parking is non-refundable and payment is with coins only. Parking for both coaches and minibuses is possible, there is no need to prebook but the village is very busy in the summer.