Cobden Bridge

Cobden Bridge is a road bridge spanning the River Itchen with five concrete arches, connecting the St Denys and Bitterne Park districts of Southampton. The structure carries traffic on the A3035 with two vehicle lanes and dedicated bicycle paths on each side.

An iron bridge was built here in 1883 by the National Liberal Land Company and named after politician Richard Cobden. The current concrete structure was completed in 1928 as a replacement for the original crossing.

The bridge site marked the location of a major conflict in 1885 when 400 young men from different neighborhoods engaged in street battles.

The crossing is easy to navigate on foot and by bicycle, with clear separation between vehicle and cycle paths. Access is straightforward at most times of day, though peak hours coincide with morning and evening commute traffic.

Unlike the nearby Northam Bridge which required payment, the original structure gained recognition as a toll-free crossing point.

Location: Southampton

Official opening: 1883

GPS coordinates: 50.92440,-1.37820

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:27