Cawood Bridge

Cawood Bridge is a road crossing over the River Ouse in North Yorkshire with five sections that span the waterway. Two of these sections can pivot to allow boats and barges to pass underneath while traffic waits.

The bridge was built starting in 1870 by the Cawood Bridge Company and opened in 1872 to replace an older ferry service. It represents Victorian engineering practices of the late 1800s.

The Grade II listed designation marks this bridge as a significant element of British engineering heritage, representing Victorian transportation infrastructure.

The crossing has weight restrictions and is monitored by cameras to ensure traffic compliance. Visitors should be aware of the movable sections and follow local traffic rules when crossing.

The two swing sections were built to open for river traffic, but this mechanism is rarely needed today. This reflects how the bridge was designed for a different era of transportation on the waterway.

Location: Kelfield

Location: Cawood

Official opening: July 31, 1872

GPS coordinates: 53.83378,-1.12809

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:22