Mousehole Bridge, Rivelin Valley
Location/Address
About 350 m upstream of Malin Bridge, Rivelin Valley, Sheffield, S6 5FF. Off Rivelin Valley Road near the Rivelin Valley Fire Station and Mousehole Forge.
[The Rivelin Valley water power assets form a separate nomination for inclusion on the S Yorks Local Heritage List.]
Type
Other site, structure or landscape
Assets that cannot fit any of the other categories. This category includes sites of archaeological interest, where the original form and function may not be apparent without the use of archaeological techniques and interpretation.
Description
Stone bridge over the River Rivelin built in the late 18th century to facilitate access to Mousehole Forge. The stone abutments and arch are in good condition and the original stone balustrade is still in place.
Statement of Significance
Asset type
Structure - stone bridgeAge
Built in the late 18th century to facilitate access to Mousehole Forge - Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade II listed - from where anvils were exported all over the world. The bridge is a fine example of the craftsmanship of the 18th century.Group Value
There are many structures in Rivelin given Grade II listed status (including four bridges over the Rivelin: Hollins Lane, Roscoe, Packhorse and Rivelin Mill). It therefore seems an anomaly that this bridge with such close connection with a significant site in Sheffield’s industrial heritage (Mousehole Forge - Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade II listed) has no listing. Inclusion of the bridge as a Locally Listed asset will help identify it as a strategic part of the Rivelin Valley’s access network. The site contributes to the significance of the Rivelin Waterpower Sites and to Mousehole Forge in particular. Mousehole and the three smaller Rivelin bridges are all late C18 or early C19, so there is a high group value as they illustrate the need for better crossings owing to increased industrialisation during this period.Historic Interest
The access track to Mousehole Forge dates back to the establishment of the forge and its importance from the mid-17th century as one of the main iron forges in the country. Originally the route crossed the River Rivelin at a ford but the importance of the trade lead to William Armitage of Mousehole Forge building the bridge in the late 18th Century. This enabled forgings, particularly the famous anvils cast at the works, to be more effectively transported into Sheffield, from where they were dispatched all over the world. After the bridge was built, the route became popular with local people as a short cut from Walkley Bank to Stannington Road. To stop this, William Armitage, the manager of Mousehole Forge, put a gate across the bridge. The gate was the subject of annoyance in the neighbourhood and was often damaged or taken away. It was finally removed in about 1816. Recognised as important, when Rivelin Valley Road was built (1905–1908), large retaining walls were built on the south side to support Walkley Bank and the structure of the bridge was not disturbed. The track to Mousehole and on to Stannington Road, now classified as a bridleway, remains an integral part of the public access network in the valley.Landmark Status
The Rivelin valley is an extremely popular leisure destination for local people. The bridge has been a popular route now for 200 years, since the removal of the gate. It is still regularly used by local people, including pupils attending Forge Valley School (Stannington), as a short-cut between Walkley Bank and Stannington Road and for access to the Rivelin Valley trail.Images and Documents
4. View of the upstream side of Mousehole Bridge, taken from the bridleway. The stonework supporting Rivelin Valley Road can be seen to the right of the bridge. Photo Sue Shaw, 2022
View of the upstream side of Mousehole Bridge, taken from Rivelin Valley Road. Photo by Sue Shaw, 2022
Walkway across the top of Mousehole Bridge, taken from Rivelin Valley Road, looking towards Mousehole Forge. Photo by Sue Shaw, 2015
Date Listed
18 Sep 2023
Last Updated
11 Jun 2023
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