Frackford Old Bridge, Dunster

The bridge at Frackford, now Frackford Old Bridge, carried the main route from Exmoor to Dunster and the coast. It was an important bridge, probably replacing a ford. In 1307 Richard of Avill left 12d towards its upkeep. The prior of Dunster and Avill tithing were required to repair it in 1476.[1]

The route was turnpiked in 1765 by the Minehead Trust to the Devon boundary beyond Dulverton. Frackford Bridge was built with two arches in 1768 by local masons William and George Rawle. The coping was added later.

It was replaced by the present stone and concrete single-span bridge built alongside in 1913 for Somerset County Ccouncil to the designs of County Surveyor Edward Stead.

[1]     SRO, DD/L P12/4.