Bridging the Gap...

One architectural feature of Britain that is very under-rated (in my honest opinion) is the good old bridge!  Of course, foreigners know about Tower Bridge, the Severn Bridge etc, but we do have a lot more than that - in a remarkable variety of materials and designs.  Here a few that you might not be familiar with...


Clifton Suspension Bridge
Opened in 1864, the Clifton Suspension Bridge spans the River Avon near Bristol.

Angry skies above Bristol by Vaidotas Mišeikis is licensed under CC BY NC ND 2.0

Glenfinnan Viaduct

A railway viaduct in the West Highlands of Scotland, this overlooks Loch Shiel.  Opened in April 1901, the viaduct has been used in many films, including four of the Harry Potter series!

62005 - Glenfinnan Viaduct by 96Tommy is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Tyne Bridge

Opened in 1928, this is a through arch bridge.  Spanning the River Tyne, it links Newcastle and Gateshead, and has become a defining symbol of the area.

DSC_0571.dxo by Martin Sharman is licensed under CC BY NC ND 2.0

Monnow Bridge

The only remaining mediaeval fortified river bridge in Great Britain, this red sandstone structure was completed in the late 13th Century.  It spans the River Monnow in Monmouthshire, Wales.

Monnow bridge by Steve Slater is licensed under CC BY 2.0

St. Ives Bridge

A 15th Century bridge, crossing the Great Ouse in St. Ives, Cambridgeshire, it is one of only four English bridges to incorporate a chapel.

St Ives by Teckie Kev is licensed under CC BY NC ND 2.0

Iron Bridge

The very first bridge in the world to be constructed of cast iron, this crosses the River Severn in Shropshire, England.  It opened in 1781, and led to the foundation of the adjacent settlement called - appropriately enough - Ironbridge!

The Iron Bridge by Elliott Brown is licensed under CC BY 2.0