GADEBRIDGE 1840’s Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire N51o 45' 40.3" W0o 28' 30.39" HEW 1802 TL 052 080
This bridge crosses the River Gade close to A4146 in what is now a city park. It was once the home of Sir Astley Paston Cooper (Bart) a well known surgeon and the bridge was originally built to give access from Gadebridge House to the High Street. It has four cast iron arched ribs of which the halves are linked at the center with a transverse stiffening member. There is an Chinese theme to the bridge expressed with an elaborate parapet of bamboo pattern and with spandrels formed from integral hoops. Although illegible now, there was an inscription on the masonry cartouche over the crown that said "J.Cranstone" and one on the springing plate on the southwest abutment that said "Barwell and Company northants".