Packhorse Bridge, Newport
The old packhorse bridge crosses the River Tamar, and is also known as Prior's Bridge. It was once the only means of crossing the Tamar, apart from a ford where the road bridge is now. It was built in the fifteenth century and is a fine example of a medieval bridge with five low arches, and is Listed Grade I.
It was originally built to link the Priory with the town of Newport. Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, entered into an agreement with the nearby Priory permitting them the brewing and selling of beer, along with bread, fish and wine.
Constructed in slatestone rubble with large slate dressings, the 5-span bridge has two cut-waters with 4-centred arches to upstream side and one to downstream side. There are wrought iron railings and a central cast iron lamp which were added in the late 19th century.