Lady Wimborne Bridge

Lady Wimborne Bridge is a railway bridge in Poole featuring a limestone structure with distinctive stone carvings. The arch has a double-wave design with carved spandrels displaying foliage, scrollwork, and heraldic shields on each side.

Sir Charles Barry designed this bridge in 1853 for Sir Joseph Guest of Canford Manor and the Southampton and Dorchester Railway. Today it holds Grade II listed status, recognizing its historical and architectural importance.

The bridge's stone carvings show how wealthy landowners shaped the appearance of railway structures in Victorian times. These decorative details were a way for influential families to leave their mark on public infrastructure.

Pedestrian access to the bridge is available through steps leading up to the former railway embankment where the structure stands. The location is straightforward to reach and offers good viewing angles of the Victorian railway structure.

Carved pinnacles crown each end of the parapet, and the stone piers feature detailed heraldic shields that are easy to miss at first glance. These fine details were crafted to blend into the overall limestone composition rather than stand out separately.

Location: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Official opening: February 14, 1876

GPS coordinates: 50.79055,-1.97450

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:08