Gallox Bridge

Heritage Site in Somerset Somerset West and Taunton

England

Gallox Bridge

Flood channel of the river Avill I thought this was a road to the beach, but in fact it is a floodwater channel intended to prevent the village of Marsh Street from flooding. <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/916957">ST0044 : Looking inland from bridge near Dunster Beach</a> shows it with some water in it, but it&#039;s obviously designed to take major storm flows, perhaps like the flash flood that overwhelmed Lynmouth in 1952 See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1439074">SS9943 : View From Loxhole Bridge</a> for the weir at the head of the channel. — Flood channel of the river Avill Credit: Stephen Craven

Gallox Bridge, located in Somerset, England, is a historic and picturesque heritage site that holds significant architectural and historical value. This charming stone bridge spans across the River Brue in the village of Gallox, near the town of Glastonbury.

Built in the 15th century, Gallox Bridge is a well-preserved example of a medieval packhorse bridge. It features a single stone arch, constructed using local limestone, that gracefully spans the river. The bridge's design is simple yet elegant, with a narrow roadway and low parapets on either side.

The bridge's purpose was to facilitate the transport of goods and livestock across the river, connecting the village to trade routes and nearby markets. It played a crucial role in the local economy, serving as a vital link for farmers and merchants for many centuries.

Gallox Bridge is also steeped in folklore and legends. It is said to have been built by fairies, adding a touch of enchantment to its historical significance. Its idyllic location, nestled amidst lush green fields and surrounded by natural beauty, only adds to its allure.

Today, Gallox Bridge remains in active use, allowing pedestrians and vehicles to cross the river. It is a popular spot for visitors and locals alike, who come to admire its architectural beauty, take in the tranquil surroundings, and explore the nearby countryside.

As a designated heritage site, Gallox Bridge serves as a reminder of Somerset's rich history and serves as a testament to the craftsmanship of its medieval builders. It stands as a timeless symbol of the region's past and continues to be cherished by all who encounter it.

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Gallox Bridge Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.182/-3.452 or Grid Reference SS9843. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Flood channel of the river Avill

I thought this was a road to the beach, but in fact it is a floodwater channel intended to prevent the village of Marsh Street from flooding. ST0044 : Looking inland from bridge near Dunster Beach shows it with some water in it, but it's obviously designed to take major storm flows, perhaps like the flash flood that overwhelmed Lynmouth in 1952 See SS9943 : View From Loxhole Bridge for the weir at the head of the channel.

Stephen Craven

Canalised section of the River Avill, near Dunster

The view was taken from a train to Minehead on the West Somerset Railway.

Ruth Sharville

Fungi at Dunster Beach Estate

Roger Cornfoot

Farm building with monopitch roof

At Lower Marsh Farm near Dunster. Seen from the public footpath that passes through the farm.

Stephen Craven

Footpath past Lower Marsh Farm

Note the hay barn to the right.

Stephen Craven

Cows at Lower Marsh Farm

Stephen Craven

Dunster station platform

Dunster, opened in 1874, is a single-platform station on the West Somerset Railway, the last stop before Minehead.

Stephen Craven

Diesel at the rear, Dunster

Due to work on a level crossing, trains were unable to get to Minehead during 2021, and were being turned back at Dunster, which therefore became the passenger terminus. On this particular day, operations were complicated by the fact that a special train was due to arrive and depart before this scheduled service returned to Bishops Lydeard, and with only a single platform here the stock had to be temporarily stored in sidings just beyond the station. With no run-round facility for the steam loco, this meant having another engine (in this instance a class 33 diesel) at the back of the train from which it could be driven back into the station before the steam loco ran round ready for the next departure.

Stephen Craven

Off to the sidings at Dunster

Stephen Craven

Dunster station trackwork

Stephen Craven

Lamp room at Dunster

A lamp room was where oil lamps were kept to be attached to the front and rear of trains before the days of electric lighting, and spare oil for these, station lighting and the backlights of old-style semaphore signals. As the WSR still has the latter, it may still be in use.

Stephen Craven

Level crossing at Dunster station

The crossing on Station Road in an unguarded one, with neither gates nor barriers, or even flashing lights. Safety relies on trains going dead slow entering or leaving the station, and drivers hearing the train's whistle. Even on preserved railways, such crossings are now rare. Maybe the fact this is a dead-end road only serving a couple of farms and a few holiday cottages mean the risk is considered acceptably low.

Stephen Craven

Dunster station building

Seen as approaching from the village, which is a mile from the station (not unusual for a small country station). The main building is listed grade II (list entry 1057599) and according to Historic England dates from 1871 although the line didn't open until 1874.

Stephen Craven

Dunster station - former goods shed and dock

The West Somerset Railway has been a private preserved railway since 1976, but Dunster seems to have retained all the track and buildings from its pre-1971 British Railways days. There is only one passenger platform, and the sidings, goods dock and shed to the right here are now used by the railway's engineering department. The former goods shed dating from 1874 is listed grade II (list entry 1250444). Note the gauging structure outside the shed doors, which would represent the profile of the lowest bridges on the line to make sure nothing would get knocked off overloaded wagons.

Stephen Craven

Dunster station - former goods shed

The West Somerset Railway has been a private preserved railway since 1976, but Dunster seems to have retained all the track and buildings from its pre-1971 British Railways days. The former goods shed dating from 1874 is listed grade II (list entry 1250444). See SS9944 : Dunster station - former goods shed and dock for the other end.

Stephen Craven

Dunster station - engineer's train

The former goods sidings at Dunster are now the WSR's engineering depot. Here, a road-rail excavator is attached to several hopper wagons and some flats.

Stephen Craven

Dunster station - arrival of a special train

On this occasion, the West Somerset Railway accommodated an extra charter train between its own scheduled steam workings. The Diesel and Electric Preservation Group used ‘Hymek’ diesel loco D7018 both for an excursion from Bishops Lydeard to Dunster and back, with an extension to Norton Fitzwarren and back on the return leg. Such was the demand that tickets had apparently sold out within a few days.

Stephen Craven

Dunster station - steam train approaching

Ex-Great Western Railway locomotive 5199, on hire from the Llangollen Railway, brings its coaches back from the sidings to form the 14.40 departure to Bishops Lydeard.

Stephen Craven

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Gallox Bridge is located at Grid Ref: SS9843 (Lat: 51.182, Lng: -3.452)

Administrative County: Somerset

District: Somerset West and Taunton

Police Authority: Avon and Somerset