Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire

A statement to inform proposed changes to the HENLEY BRIDGE, HENLEY-ON- Grade I Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire. THAMES, OXFORDSHIRE

Design and Access & Heritage Statement FEBRUARY 2021

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Client Name: Instalcom

Document Title: Design and Access & Heritage Statement

Document Type: Evidence base Issue Number: 1 Grid Reference: SU 76342 82644 FHS Job Number: Invoice code: - Prepared by: James Webb Position: Date: Director 9th February 2021

Checked by: James Webb Position: Date: Director 9th February 2021

Disclaimer:

This document has been prepared for the titled project or named part thereof and should not be relied upon or used for any other project without an independent check being carried out as to its suitability and prior written authority of Forum Heritage Services being obtained. Forum Heritage Services accepts no responsibility or liability for the consequences of this document being used for a purpose other than the purposes for which it was commissioned. Any person/party using or relying on the document for such other purposes agrees, and will by such use or reliance be taken to confirm their agreement to indemnify Forum Heritage Services for all loss or damage resulting therefrom. Forum Heritage Services accepts no responsibility or liability for this document to any party other than the person/party by whom it was commissioned.

Forum Heritage Services Limited is a company registered in England Wales No. 6287547

Dorset House, 1 Church Street, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1JH t.07790 771531 [email protected] t.07875 492546 [email protected]

Forum Heritage Services Page 1 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Contents

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Historic Context

3.0 Description

4.0 Discussion

5.0 Significance of Henley Bridge

6.0 Proposed changes and their impact

7.0 Conclusion

Appendices

A. Location Plan

B. Historic Maps

C. Historic images

D. Figures

E. List Description

F. Trial holes – plans, sections and photographs

Forum Heritage Services Page 2 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire

DESIGN AND ACCESS & HERITAGE STATEMENT

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Forum Heritage Services have been commissioned to prepare a Heritage Statement for Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, South Oxfordshire (see Appendix A for Location Plan). This statement has been prepared in accordance with the advice and requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and its accompanying practice guide and the National Planning Policy Guidance and the local planning guidance of South Oxfordshire District Council and Wokingham District Council.

1.2 Henley Bridge lies to the east edge of the town of Henley-on-Thames and is the principal crossing point of the Thames into the town. Historically, there have been a number of bridges to the town which have either collapsed or been replaced. The present stone bridge has been recorded historically on numerous occasions, in journals and illustratively in engravings and in early photographs. The bridge figures as one of the key elements historically and presently in the annual Henley Regatta with the Regatta Headquarters (Grade II listed) located to the east side of the river to the south of the bridge. Henley Bridge was added to the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) on 25th January 1951. A copy of the list description can be found at Appendix D. Due to the bridge straddling the boundary between Oxfordshire and Berkshire, it lies within two conservation areas: Henley-On-Thames (designated 1969) and Remenham Henley Bridge (designated 2004). South Oxford District Council first published the Henley Conservation Area Character Appraisal in draft form in July 2004. Following a period of public consultation, including a public meeting held on 3rd August 2004, the Council approved the Character Appraisal on 2nd September 2004.

1.3 The bridge was the subject of an extensive repair programme in 2011 and is in a good condition.

1.4 This Heritage Statement is based on documentary research and an inspection of the building; it has been prepared by James Webb BSc (Hons) MSc (Hist Con) PG Dip UD IHBC, Director of Forum Heritage Services. The Statement will provide a summary of the history and development of the building and will identify the principal elements of historical and architectural significance, summarise the work proposed and its impact upon the significance of this building.

Forum Heritage Services Page 3 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

2.0 Historic Context1

2.1 The date and circumstances of the town's creation are unrecorded, although it was well established by the 1260s–70s when it had a merchant guild and was occasionally called burgus. (fn. 8) Circumstantial evidence points to a late 12th-century foundation by Henry II, who laid out New Woodstock around the same time. (fn. 9) In 1177–8 Benson manor (including Henley) fell back into royal control after a long lease, and the same year the king acquired land at Henley 'for making his buildings'.

2.2 Earliest evidence of a bridge is the remains of two stone arches abutting the existing structure at either end, one (on the Berkshire side) excavated in 1985, and the other forming part of the cellars of the Angel Inn. Both have been dated stylistically to the late 12th century, suggesting that the bridge may have been built when the planned town was first laid out. The surviving vaults are of flint rubble with stone (ashlar) dressings, and their style, which includes diagonal tooling in the stonework suggests this date. A bridge existed by 1225, when the king granted custody of it at pleasure. It is thought that the 12th century bridge may have been entirely stone- built. In 1354, two granaries were leased on the bridge, which was timber on stone piers and several chapels are recorded. A large masonry block discovered on the riverbed in midstream, with diagonal tooling similar to that in the end arches, has been interpreted as part of an ashlar- faced cut-water, and in the mid 16th century Leland reported that stone foundations remained visible beneath the bridge at low water. By then, however, the main span was of timber, and may have been for some time.

2.3 The bridge's importance to the town was reflected in a hihg number of grants of property and rents towards its upkeep from the late 13th and early 14th century, the origin of the 'bridge rents' held by the town guild and later by the corporation, and administered by town officers known as bridgemen. A hermit authorized to collect alms in 1496 may have been primarily responsible for the nearby chapel of St Anne rather than for the bridge itself.

2.4 A ferry was supplied during repairs in 1554–5, and in the Civil War the bridge suffered serious damage. In January 1643 Parliamentary troops entering the town were delayed because 'the bridge was not quite laid down' and in 1645 a rate was charged on the inhabitants after it was 'broken down by military forces'. In 1712 it was again 'very slight and ... frequently down', and by 1719 the timber part had been rebuilt and the stone arches at the east end destroyed, presumably leaving only the surviving buried arch.

2.5 The best evidence for the 16th- and 17th-century bridge comes from a series of paintings of Henley in the 1690s by the Dutch painter Jan Siberechts. These show a timber structure linking the stone arches (to either bank), its roadway protected by wooden rails which were also repaired frequently. On the Berkshire side the bridge was approached by a short embanked causeway. Over the following decades the timber structure (see Figure HP1 Appendix C) was repeatedly damaged by floods and, though patched up, seems to have become increasingly unstable. During major repairs in 1754–6 the corporation again supplied a ferry, and in 1774 the bridge

1 This section draws on the publication A History of the County of Oxford: Volume 16, ed. Simon Townley (Woodbridge, Suffolk, 2011) (see Bibliography for page references)

Forum Heritage Services Page 4 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

was allegedly 'carried away'. It had been repaired by early 1777, and though 'decayed and ruinous' remained in use until its demolition c.1785, during construction of the existing stone bridge along its north side.

2.6 The decision to build a new stone bridge, financed by tolls rather than from the increasingly inadequate bridge rents, was taken by November 1780, when the corporation ordered the town clerk to prepare a petition to parliament. An Act was secured the following year, establishing a bridge commission; the new bridge was to be erected 'as near as may be on the north side of the present bridge', with 'liberty to erect a toll gate' and provision for lighting, watching, and paving. William Hayward of Shrewsbury was engaged as architect in September 1781 and work began early in 1782, soon after John Townsend of Oxford was contracted as builder. The span was complete by summer 1785, when a fence was installed 'to prevent cattle and passengers going over at night time'; lamps and a toll house were added soon after, and the bridge was officially finished in April 1786.

2.7 Extensive changes to the town followed the 1781 Bridge Act, which established a body of bridge commissioners (including the corporation) with power to raise tolls. Its realignment with wide curved entrances forced the demolition of several buildings adjoining its west end, among them the White Horse and another pub; the Angel, to its south, was retained and remodelled, with a new pathway leading down to it. (fn. 118) Such demolitions formed part of a wider scheme to remove obstructions and create 'commodious avenues' to the bridge. Hart Street was widened by the taking in of part of the churchyard, possibly precipitating the rebuilding of the church's south side in 1789

2.8 Carved heads of Thamesis and Isis on the keystones of the central arch were provided by Conway's daughter, the sculptress Anne Damer (d. 1828) (see Figures X and X Appendix C). The old bridge, abutting the new one on its south side, was retained until c. 1785, and then sold off piecemeal. The bridge remained a toll bridge until 1873.

Cartographic and other documentary evidence and planning history of the site

2.9 With regards to Henley Bridge, map regression is of limited value to the understanding of the evolution of the bridge and/or its predessors. What is of note (Figures 1 to 3 Appendix B) are the buildings which have defined the enclosure to the bridge on the east and west riversides and how they have contributed to the location and re-location of former and the present structure(s).

2.10 What is far more informative is the series of drawings, etchings, paintings and early photographs which have often focused on the river, church and bridge grouping for their subject and have frequently been recorded in relation to the Henley Regatta, the most significant and historic event which has defined the social calendar of the town for over 180 years.

2.11 Pre and Post construction of the bridge in 1786 (see above) there have been a number of illustrations of the bridge and its setting. Most notable are the early depictions of the previous bridge on the site prior to the construction of the present stone bridge by Dutch landscape painter

Forum Heritage Services Page 5 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Jans Siberechts. His depiction of Henley-On-Thames in the late 17th century; Landscape with Rainbow (Tate Gallery) (Figure HP1 Appendix C) clearly shows a timber-framed structure across the river with buildings on the town side tightly abuting the bridge.

2.12 The first known illustration of the 1786 bridge is by Samuel Ireland, printmaker, draughtsman and writer and honorary exhibitor at the Royal Academy in 1782 and 1784. His engraving of 1792 (Figure HP2 Appendix C) shows the five arches with ‘pepperpot’ cutwaters and keystones (including the carved head to the centre arch) to each arch along with the bottle balustrading. A hexagonal toll house is shown to the eastern bank on the north side. An engaving of 1811 by William Cooke (Figure HP3 Appendix C) which appeared in his book The Thames shows the key characteristics of the bridge presently on the site. It also shows the Angel Inn to the west (town) side of the river and hard up against south side of the abutment.

2.13 An early 19th century illustration in The Henley Guide (Figure HP4 Appendix C) shows the distinctive half-domed ‘pepperpot’ cutwaters to the south side of the bridge. The bridge continues to be subject of illustrations (Figure HP5 Appendix C) and photographs (Figures HP6 to 8 Appendix C). Figure HP6 shows the roadway and pavements of the bridge but is not of sufficient quality to determine their finishes at this time. There are further photographs taken through the middle of the 20th century with Figure HP10 Appendix C showing the alterations to the voussoirs to include bolts inserted into the stonework presumably for reinforcement of the arch. Figure HP11 Appendix C, a view of the Red Lion taken in 1949, part of the National Monuments Record shows a glimpse of the pavement at this date which appears to be made up of regular-sized concrete or artificial stone slabs.

Planning history (back to 1994)

2.14 In 2011 conditional planning and listed building consent were approved (ref.P11/E0029/LB) for the replacement of lime mortar and damaged bricks, replacement of a cracked baluster and the cleaning off of soot.

2.15 In 2020 planning permission and listed building consent were approved (ref.P11/E1535/DIS) for the installation of LED Linear Graze Pilot Lights to Henley Bridge. The illumination is designed to illuminate the vertical faces of the bridge.

Forum Heritage Services Page 6 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

3.0 Description

3.1 There is a full list description at Appendix E which provides an external summary of the key features of the bridge. The description is as follows:

HART STREET

Henley Bridge

1/32 The following should be added to the description:

The S. retaining wall of the E. abutment is built in part on the intact easternmost span of the original C12 bridge. This has a segmental vault of shuttered flint rubble masonry with Barnack stone dressings. The arch on the S. is of two square orders; that on the North is probably similar but is partially obscured by a C18 blocking wall. This bridge was probably built by Henry II in the 1170s; in 1179 it was recorded that he 'had bought land in Henley for making buildings' (K A Rodwell (ed), Historic Towns in Oxfordshire (1974), 125). Also included in the statutory list for the Parish of Remenham in the Wokingham District Council SU 78 SE 1/6.

1. HART STREET 5355 Henley Bridge SU 7582 1/32

I GV

2. 1786. Designed by William Hayward who died in 1782, before work started. Keystones of Thamesis and Isis carved by sculptress Mrs Damer, daughter of General Conway of Park Place and cousin of Horace Walpole. Stone, 5 arches with rusticated treatment to base of interval piers. Dentil cornice below balustrade which bears metal lamposts. Fluted plinths with 4 cherubs heads. 4 sided lamps. Metal plaque at each end of bridge instructing drivers of "engines".

No 52 and the Angel Hotel form a group with St Marys Church, The Red Lion Hotel and Stables and No 18 Thameside with Henley Bridge at this entrance into the town.

3.2 The bridge falls within two designated conservation areas (straddling the boundary between Oxfordshire and Berkshire) Henley-On-Thames (designated 1969) and Remenham Henley Bridge (designated 2004) and forms an important part of the very high townscape quality of the approach to the town via the river (Figure 1 Appendix D) and is also due to the public access to the waterfront particularly to the townside of the river (Figure 2 Appendix D) a very prominent and attractive feature in the river and landscape setting of the town including views into the conservation areas particularly from the north.

Forum Heritage Services Page 7 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

3.3 The central roadway is tarmac and the two pavements to either side of the bridge are mid to late 20th century artificial stone slabs (Figure 3 Appendix D). To the south side the square section concrete slabs are complemented by brick paviours (Figure 4 Appendix D). There are a number of existing plated access chambers (Figures 5 and 6 Appendix D) for existing services across the bridge. Each of the pavements is lined with older granite stone kerbs. Some of these kerbstones have evidence of multiple drillholes (Figure 7 Appendix D). These do not appear to be uniform or consistent (say for the insertion of railings for example?) and it is unclear what purpose they served and whether these kerbs have been recycled and have come from elsewhere. The granite kerbstones have been replaced with artificial stone kerbs in places particularly to the north side of the bridge to the town end (Figure 8 Appendix D).

3.4 A series of trial holes were undertaken during the pre-application work to ascertain the presence of existing services within the bridge sub-structure. Photographs for each of the trial holes and their locations can be found at Appendix F. The trial holes were consistent in their contents. The 20th century surface finishes were set on a 100mm of concrete below which there is a fill of what is described as soft chalk clay. Much of the material of the trial holes appears to have been made up of fine granular materials with some larger chalk and clay components.

Forum Heritage Services Page 8 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

4.0 Discussion

4.1 A search of the Historic Environment Record (HER) for Oxfordshire (reference 007JP) has not brought forward any previous record of excavation during service installation on the bridge. It is clear from utilities records and the trial holes (see Appendix F) that extensive excavation would have taken place for the installation of gas and other telecommications ducts within the northern pavement corridor. A date of c1960s is likely for the insertion of the gas pipe.

4.2 Illustrative and photographic evidence point to the present bridge being substantially the bridge constructed in 1786 to the designs of William Hayward. Archaeological evidence which survives on the west bank in the basement of the Angel Inn (see list description at Appendix E) and on the east bank was recorded during the construction of the Henley Royal Regatta Headquarters (1984) clearly points towards the earlier bridge being located to the south of the present structure although there is some evidence for part of the causeway or remnant sections of a medieval bridge in the south abutment of the present bridge now underground.

4.3 There is some question over whether the two bridges ever existed at the same time and whether there was some overlap with the removal (or collapse) of the older bridge and the adoption of the ‘new’ bridge. However, their structures are not to be seen as intregral or linked other than through the remnant section of bridge approach to the south abutment, now buried.

4.4 There is no clear evidence of pre-20th century finishes to either the roadway (although these may be below the tarmac surface finish) or the pavements. There is no evidence of an earlier pavement finish below the present modern artificial stone slabs. It is suspected that this was removed when the present modern finish was applied. The glimpsed pavement finish to a photograph of 1949 (Figure HP11 Appendix C) appears to show a modern regular slab finish akin to a modern material finish rather than an historic stone flag at this date. All trace of the original surface treatments appear to have been replaced. However, the granite stone kerbs are of some significance and materially improves the pavement finishes to the bridge.

Forum Heritage Services Page 9 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

5.0 Significance of Henley Bridge

5.1 Henley Bridge is Grade I listed and is a fine example of an 18th century stone bridge which has changed little in its external finishes and materials since its inception in 1786. The bridge has been recorded numerous times by illustrators and later photographers which have provided a comprehensive and detailed record of the bridge over time.

5.2 The bridge falls within two designated conservation areas (straddling the boundary between Oxfordshire and Berkshire) Henley-On-Thames (designated 1969) and Remenham Henley Bridge (designated 2004) and forms an important part of the very high townscape quality of the approach to the town via the river.

5.3 The bridge’s architectural quality and use of carved stone ashlar for its material finish give the bridge a distinctly high quality aesthetic character which is seen for some distance in views from the south and north along the river. It forms an important architectural group with buildings to both the east and west of the bridge, but particularly with the adjacent Grade II* Angel Inn to the west side of the river and to its immediate south.

5.4 Henley Bridge replaced an earlier structure thought to have been both timber construction and earlier in stone. Of this bridge (and causeway) traces exist most notably to the southern abutment to the eastern side where a remnant arch (now covered) survives. There are also traces of the earlier structure on the corresponding western bank within the basement of the Grade II* listed Angel Inn.

5.5 It is notable that whilst the bridge itself since inception has changed little, its riverside abutments to the east in particular have seen some change to include the removal of a toll house and the replacement of an Inn; the Carpenters Arms with the Grade II listed Henley Royal Regatta Headquarters (1984-86) by the Terry Farrell Partnership. It would appear from the archaeological evidence and surviving physical evidence that there was some overlap of bridges to the causeway (Berkshire) side of the bridge but that the earlier spans of the medieval stone bridge were to the south of the present bridge.

5.6 The surface finishes and sub-strate to the bridge have perhaps seen the most change with the pavements both having been replaced some time in the mid to late 20th century and the sub- strate and fill dating variously from the late 18th century, early, mid and late 20th centuries given the presence of 20th century gas pipes at some of the lowest points (almost to stone voussoir depth) within the bridge structure. There is no evidence of earlier surface pavement finishes although the granite kerbs whilst not considered original are of some historic value.

Forum Heritage Services Page 10 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

6.0 Proposed changes and their impact

6.1 The proposed works can be summarised as the installation of two 110mm push fit telecoms ducts in the public footpath to the north side crossing of Henley Bridge. The ducts are uPVC in material finish and will be set at 350mm below the pavement surface in sand (see diagram below). A layer of crushed carboniferous limestone (MOT Type 1) will be used as a sub-base backfill and with the pavement surface re-instated above.

6.2 The opportunity will be taken to raplace all cracked and broken floor slabs in the present northern pavement.

Proposed section through excavation for telecoms ducts

Forum Heritage Services Page 11 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Impact of proposals

6.3 Visually there will be no change to the external appearance of the bridge. The proposed works will not impact upon and could be considered to improve the aesthetic significance of the bridge with the replacement of damaged stone flags with new stones to match the existing.

6.4 It is considered that given the interventions from previous contractors to install a number of services, not least the imposition of a gas line in the mid-20th century, the present sub-strate is predominantly 20th century material of very limited archaeological value. The trial holes have not revealed earlier structure or finishes and it is unlikely that any survive. This is particularly the case for earlier surface finishes which appear to have been replaced in the mid to late 20th century.

6.5 The proposed works are not considered to harm the significance of the Grade I listed bridge nor will they impact upon the character or appearance of the Henley-On-Thames and Remenham Henley Bridge Conservation Areas. The replacement of cracked, broken or missing stone flags will enhance the character and appearance of both conservation areas.

Forum Heritage Services Page 12 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

7.0 Conclusion

7.1 The significance of this Grade I listed bridge comprises its architectural quality and its importance on the townscape character of this part of Henley-On-Thames. It forms a partcularly important grouping with the Angel Hotel, St Mary’s Church, The Red Lion Hotel and Stables and No 18 Thameside. Earlier sections of bridge and bridge approach are to be found adjacent to the south- east abutment and in the basement of the Angel Hotel. The proposed works will have no impact on these sections of the bridge.

7.2 The proposed alterations to provide additional telecoms ducts will have no impact on the significance of this Grade I listed building. The proposed changes will not in our view result in harm to the evidential value or historic significance of the bridge. Nor will they impact negatively upon the character or appearance of the Henley-On-Thames and Remenham Henley Bridge Conservation Areas. The replacement of cracked, broken or missing stone flags will enhance the character and appearance of both conservation areas.

7.3 The proposals for alterations to Henley Bridge are in accordance with the legislative requirements of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the local planning policies of both South Oxfordshire District Council and Wokingham District Council.

Forum Heritage Services Page 13 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Bibliography and references

Cooke W. B. 1811 The Thames London Vernon Hood and Sharpe

'Henley: Communications', in A History of the County of Oxford: Volume 16, ed. Simon Townley (Woodbridge, Suffolk, 2011), pp. 23-30 and pp31-49. British History Online http://www.british- history.ac.uk/vch/oxon/vol16/pp23-30 [accessed 21 January 2021].

Hickman and Stapleton Printers 1826 The Henley Guide Hickman and Stapleton Printers, Henley

Rodwell K A. 1974 Historic Towns in Oxfordshire

Sherwood J, Pevsner N. 1974 Buildings of England, Oxfordshire

Forum Heritage Services Page 14 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Appendix A: Location Map

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire (and Berkshire) (indicated in red)

Forum Heritage Services Page 15 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Appendix B: Historic Maps

Figure 1: Ordnance Survey first edition 1 to 25 inch 1879

Forum Heritage Services Page 16 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Figure 2: Ordnance Survey second edition 1 to 25 inch 1913

Figure 2: Ordnance Survey second edition 1 to 25 inch 1925

Forum Heritage Services Page 17 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Appendix C: Historic Images of Henley Bridge

Figure HP1: c1690s; Jan Siberechts Landscape with rainbow, Henley on Thames (Tate Gallery)

Figure HP2: 1792 Engraving of Henley Bridge Samuel Ireland2 1792

2 Printmaker, draughtsman, writer, in London. He was an honorary exhibitor at the RA in 1782 and 1784. Lived with ‘Mrs Freeman’ (Anna Maria De Burgh Coppinger), with whom he had one son, the literary forger and writer William Henry Ireland (1775-1835), and two daughters.(Source: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art- artists/name/samuel-ireland accessed 22.01.2021)

Forum Heritage Services Page 18 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Figure HP3: 1811 Engraving from The Thames Willliam Bernard Cooke

Figure HP4: 1826 Illustration from The Henley Guide

Forum Heritage Services Page 19 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Figure HP5: 1829 ‘The first Oxford and Cambridge Rowing Match’ (from Country Life April 1st 1954) ©English Heritage

Figure HP6: Henley Bridge looking east circa late 19th century (Henry W Taunt collection) ©English Heritage

Forum Heritage Services Page 20 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Figure HP7: 1895 North side of Henley Bridge looking west toward The Angel Inn ©English Heritage

Figure HP8: c1890s The Red Lion Hotel and part of south side of Henley Bridge ©English Heritage

Forum Heritage Services Page 21 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Figure HP9: 1944 North side of the bridge from west riverbank ©English Heritage

Figure HP10: 1949 Section of north side of the bridge from Angel Inn ©English Heritage

Forum Heritage Services Page 22 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Figure HP11: 1949 The Red Lion Hotel taken from Henley Bridge ©English Heritage

Forum Heritage Services Page 23 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Figure HP12: One of two carved keystones by local sculptress the Hon Anne Damer to the central voussior of the bridge; this is facing up-stream and represents Thames (Thamesis) ©English Heritage

Forum Heritage Services Page 24 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Figure HP12: One of two carved keystones by local sculptress the Hon Anne Damer to the central voussior of the bridge; this is facing down-stream and represents Isis. ©English Heritage

Forum Heritage Services Page 25 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Appendix D: Images of Henley Bridge

Figure 1: Henley Bridge looking west a ‘gateway’ to the town and the town conservation area

Figure 2: Henley Bridge from the west riverbank (town side) from the south

Forum Heritage Services Page 26 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Figure 3: Pavement finish (north side) – All missing, cracked or broken flags to be replaced

Forum Heritage Services Page 27 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Figure 4: Pavement finish (South side) with brick paviours patterning

Forum Heritage Services Page 28 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Figure 5: Example of existing utlities inspection chamber

Forum Heritage Services Page 29 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Figure 6: Example of existing utlities inspection chamber

Forum Heritage Services Page 30 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Figure 7: Granite stone kerbs with multiple drill holes (probably re-used)

Forum Heritage Services Page 31 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Figure 8: Replacement kerb stones (north side, western end)

Forum Heritage Services Page 32 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Appendix E: Relevant List entries (Oxfordshire side – also listed in the County of Berkshire)

HENLEY BRIDGE

Overview Heritage Category: Listed Building Grade: I List Entry Number: 1369131 Date first listed: 25-Jan-1951 Statutory Address: HENLEY BRIDGE, HART STREET

Map

© Crown Copyright and database right 2021. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100024900. © British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited 2021. All rights reserved. Licence number 102006.006. Use of this data is subject to Terms and Conditions. The above map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. For a copy of the full scale map, please see the attached PDF - 1369131.pdf(opens in a new window)

The PDF will be generated from our live systems and may take a few minutes to download depending on how busy our servers are. We apologise for this delay.

This copy shows the entry on 21-Jan-2021 at 17:37:40.

Location

Forum Heritage Services Page 33 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Statutory Address: HENLEY BRIDGE, HART STREET The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County: Oxfordshire District: South Oxfordshire (District Authority) Parish: Henley-on-Thames National Grid Reference: SU 76342 82644

Details

HART STREET

Henley Bridge

1/32 The following should be added to the description:

------

1. HART STREET 5355 Henley Bridge SU 7582 1/32

I GV

2. 1786. Designed by William Hayward who died in 1782, before work started.

Forum Heritage Services Page 34 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Keystones of Thamesis and Isis carved by sculptress Mrs Damer, daughter of General Conway of Park Place and cousin of Horace Walpole. Stone, 5 arches with rusticated treatment to base of interval piers. Dentil cornice below balustrade which bears metal lamposts. Fluted plinths with 4 cherubs heads. 4 sided lamps. Metal plaque at each end of bridge instructing drivers of "engines".

No 52 and the Angel Hotel form a group with St Marys Church, The Red Lion Hotel and Stables and No 18 Thameside with Henley Bridge at this entrance into the town.

Listing NGR: SU7634282644

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number: 246180 Legacy System: LBS

Sources

Books and journals Rodwell, K A , Historic Towns in Oxfordshire, (1974), 125

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

End of official listing

Forum Heritage Services Page 35 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

ANGEL HOTEL INCLUDING ATTACHED MEDIEVAL ARCH

Overview Heritage Category: Listed Building Grade: II* List Entry Number: 1047786 Date first listed: 25-Jan-1951 Date of most recent amendment: 22-Mar-2011 Statutory Address: ANGEL HOTEL INCLUDING ATTACHED MEDIEVAL ARCH, HART STREET

Map

The PDF will be generated from our live systems and may take a few minutes to download depending on how busy our servers are. We apologise for this delay.

This copy shows the entry on 22-Jan-2021 at 16:02:32.

Location

Forum Heritage Services Page 36 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Statutory Address: ANGEL HOTEL INCLUDING ATTACHED MEDIEVAL ARCH, HART STREET The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County: Oxfordshire District: South Oxfordshire (District Authority) Parish: Henley-on-Thames National Grid Reference: SU 76321 82627

Details

696/1/33 HART STREET 25-JAN-51 (South side) ANGEL HOTEL including attached medieval arch (Formerly listed as: HART STREET ANGEL HOTEL)

GV II* Inn. Late C16/C17 and c1800 and later C19, supported by the westernmost arch of the medieval bridge over the river Thames, which forms part of the cellar and extends below ground beyond the street frontage to the north. The bridge was probably built by Henry II in the late C12. MATERIALS: rendered and painted timber framing, brick and flint. The c1800 northern range is timber framed and rendered with applied framing on the N elevation, and part brick built; roofs are tiled except for later C19 wing which has a slate roof. At basement level the northern and the central bay are of flint and brick, including, early narrow brick. The faces of the medieval arch are of dressed stone, the soffits of the arch are of shuttered flint; flanking walls are of flint and brick.

PLAN: a late C18 or early C19 single-pile range adjacent to the bridge, aligned east-west and facing north; the single bay of an earlier, C16/C17 two-storey wing, including a large internal stack and stair, attached to the south and aligned north-south; a lower, later, C19 wing to the south. The north wall of the north range is supported on the southern face of the westernmost stone arch of the medieval bridge, which is now subterranean and extends c 3 m to the north of the pub, beneath the pavement and road and the stone facing wall of the

Forum Heritage Services Page 37 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

1786 bridge.

EXTERIOR: the northern range is arranged on three storeys and a cellar, which is at river level. The north elevation is symmetrical, in three bays, beneath a hipped roof. The door is of four raised panels beneath an overlight and under a Tuscan porch with timber columns, which appear to have been reset on replaced bases. Windows are timber sashes: a single window of eight over eight panes on the ground floor, a pair, each of six over six panes, on the first floor and three shallow upper floor windows of three over three panes. The hipped roof has deep eaves with paired brackets. The east elevation overlooking the river is in 2 bays, divided by a substantial brick stack, and a lower later wing to the south. The east-facing bay of the northern range is of four storeys with a canted bay under a separate half-hipped roof. On the three upper floors, each face has eight over eight pane timber sashes. At lower ground-floor level are cellars. The east elevation of the adjacent three storey bay has a steeply pitched tiled roof, an added late C18 or early C19 canted bay, the upper two storeys with timber windows of six over six pane sashes, the lower ground-floor level with an entrance to former kitchens and cellars served by the stack, and now a bar. To the south is a two-storey, two-bay wing, probably of mid- to late C19 date, with a shallow-pitched hipped slate roof and replaced timber casement windows and now houses the dining room and kitchens.

The west elevation of the building has irregularly placed timber casement windows, an internal stack to the north range and external brick stack to the south range, and an entrance in the inner angle of the central bay at the foot of the stairs.

INTERIOR: the medieval arch which supports the north wall is a low, single-span segmental arch, which may have supported a causeway approaching the bridge. The arch is c 4.5 m wide internally at floor level, and 3.87 m in depth. On the north face is a single arch, on the south face a double arch, the inner arch set back c 40 cm from the outer face and c 25 cm lower. The voussoirs of the arches are of dressed stone on average of 40 x 25 x 18 cm, laid in alternating long and short work; the soffit of the arch is of shuttered flint. The internal arch is 1.75 m in height above floor level at its maximum, but is in part backfilled with the lower courses buried. The N opening is infilled in buff, yellow and red 2.5 inch brick. The cellar floor level of the N range of the pub is 0.6 m higher than the ground level under the arch which is reached via C20 brick steps.

At basement level the west wall and north wall flanking the arch are

Forum Heritage Services Page 38 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______predominately of flint with brick patching and are heavily painted; the latter may represent former abutments to the bridge. The foundations of the north wall of the building above are c 0.7m deep. Above the arch a stone corbel supports the spine beam of the cellar ceiling. Cellar floor are of stone flags. The north range is of exposed light-scantling timber frame with chamfered ceiling beams; the plan form survives, albeit partially opened up at street level. There are mid-C19 fireplaces with cast iron grates on the upper floors.

At ground floor level the central bay has a C20 stove in a partially rebuilt earlier stack, with a slender chamfered bressumer. Ceiling beams are stop chamfered. At basement level walls are of brick and stone, part painted; the stack, which is of narrow red/brown brick of C17 type is exposed, and in part reworked. A framed stair with square section newels and balusters rises from basement to upper floor. Upper floor doors are of 2 plain panels.

HISTORY: The Angel Hotel, also known as the Angel on the Bridge, is a composite building of late C16/C17 and c1800 and later C19 dates, supported by the westernmost arch of the medieval bridge which forms part of the cellar. The C12 bridge was probably built by Henry II in the 1170s; in 1179 he had bought land in Henley for 'making buildings'. The corresponding arch of the medieval bridge on the east bank (Berks) is included in the listing for Henley Bridge (Grade I, UID 246180 S Oxon; 41269 Berks). The bridge was rebuilt in 1786, adjacent to the medieval site, but the old bridge was portrayed by the Flemish artist Jan Siberechts c1690. The Angel Hotel was closely associated with the bridge from at least the C18, and predates the c1800 extension or rebuilding of the N range, which may have been precipitated by the construction of the new bridge in 1786. The hotel has an important position at the end of the bridge forming, with the church, the visual entrance to the town from the east. Stone steps lead from the street to the river terrace.

SOURCES R Gibson, The Angel on the Bridge (April 2009) B Durham, Henley. St Anne's Bridge, S Midlands Archaeol.16 (1986) 101;19 (1989) 52 J Sherwood, N Pevsner, Buildings of England, Oxfordshire (1974) 638 J Steane and J Andrews, Henley-on-Thames Bridge, S Midlands Archaeol.15 (1985) 77-9 S Townley, Henley, town trade and river (2009)

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION The Angel Hotel, also known as the Angel on the Bridge, of late C16/C17 and c1800 and later C19 dates, supported by the westernmost arch of the medieval bridge which forms part of the cellar, is designated at Grade II* for the following principal reasons: * Architectural

Forum Heritage Services Page 39 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______interest: composite building with a C16/C17 core which incorporates the westernmost arch and abutments of the medieval bridge, which support the north wing of the pub and extend below ground to the north; together with the surviving arch on the east bank of the river, the arch demonstrates the structure and extent of the early medieval bridge; early C19 remodelling, the canted bay windows giving extensive views of the river; * Historic interest: strategic medieval river crossing, the bridge probably constructed by Henry II after the acquisition of land in Henley in 1179; inn, in a prominent position at the entrance to the town, closely associated with the bridge from at least the C18 and remodelled after the building of the new bridge in 1786.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number: 246179 Legacy System: LBS

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

End of official listing

Forum Heritage Services Page 40 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Appendix F: Location and photographs of trial holes

Forum Heritage Services Page 41 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Forum Heritage Services Page 1 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Forum Heritage Services Page 2 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Forum Heritage Services Page 3 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Forum Heritage Services Page 4 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Forum Heritage Services Page 5 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Forum Heritage Services Page 6 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Forum Heritage Services Page 7 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Forum Heritage Services Page 8 of 52

Henley Bridge, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Heritage Statement January 2021 ______

Forum Heritage Services Page 1 of 52