ROCKETTS (Rochetts?) BRIDGE 1809 Sir John Rennie TQ563 943 N510 48' 17.1 W0o 3' 24.0"
PRIVATE PROPERTY This delightful cast iron bridge was designed by Sir John Rennie for John Jervis, lst Earl of St. Vincent (1735-1823), who was Lord of the Admiralty during Admiral Lord Nelson's career, for his ornamental lake at Rochetts Hall in Brentwood, Essex. Although a good part of the 18th century house was destroyed by fire in 1975, it is still privately owned and not open to the public.
The bridge has a shallow arch with hoops in the spandrels. There are four identical ribs. The decking is cast iron plates with upstanding fin-like ribs which would act as strengtheners to the iron plates as well as to hold in place the surface of the roadbed which was probably dirt or turf. Its parapets are flared at either end and terminate in plain masonry piers. It would appear from the brick work under the bridge and lining the water course that it originally spanned a small weir.
Rochetts Hall is located on Weald Road opposite the site of the former Weald Hall which now a County Park.