Osney Bridge

Osney Bridge is an iron road bridge that crosses the River Thames in Oxford. It forms a single-span structure connecting the town while serving as the lowest navigable crossing point on the river.

A three-arch stone bridge collapsed in 1885 and was replaced by this iron structure. The new bridge opened in 1889 and has served traffic ever since.

The bridge stands near the former location of Osney Abbey, where monks established the first crossing to access their mill during medieval times.

The bridge has only 2.3 meters of clearance above water, making it challenging for larger boats to pass. Water levels affect which vessels can navigate underneath, so check conditions before planning boat access.

The bridge's low height acts as a natural barrier that shapes which boats can navigate the river. This bottleneck creates a distinctive feature that has influenced river traffic patterns for generations.

Official opening: 1889

GPS coordinates: 51.75269,-1.27309

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:41