SLHS Clopton Bridge Tollhouse

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Clopton Bridge Tollhouse

Original Construction

The original deep ford at this location gave rise to Stratford’s name. Since the 1200‘s a rather make-shift timber bridge was used because the Avon was swift and deep in winter. Dangerous at the best of times this kept on being washed away or at least needing serious repair. Between 1484-6 Hugh Clopton had a huge stone bridge built wide enough for two-way traffic. It was build upon the hard rock that millennia the river was unable to wash away and had provided the walkway for brave men and women to cross. When the sluice at Lucy’s mill is left wide open, and the river drained it is still occasionally visible.

However it wasn’t until 1814 that Thomas Keen sought to charge tolls for its use.

This was not a popular business and six years later the building fell into disrepair. In 1839 tolls were stopped when John Cox bought the land nearby for a timber yard. He rented the toll house.

Restoration

Both the bridge and toll house are Grade 1 Listed but the toll house was in such a poor state that it was placed on Historic England’s Register Of Buildings At Risk. In 2016 £450k was raised by Stratford Historic Buildings Trust to replace the roof add an internal mezzanine floor, two new staircases, new plumbing and electrics, and a new water supply. The upper level of the building are let as office space and the basement area will be used as a public display area, telling the story of the Toll House and the history of the riverside area.

Credit is also given to: Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic England, Stratford District Council, Architectural Heritage Fund, Pilgrim Trust and a range of other grant-giving charities.

Further Information..