Shillingford Bridge

Shillingford Bridge is a stone structure that crosses the River Thames with three semi-circular arches, connecting the village of Shillingford to Wallingford. Traffic passes over a single-track route controlled by traffic lights to manage vehicles moving in both directions.

The bridge was built in 1827 to replace an earlier wooden structure following a Parliamentary decision to create a more durable crossing for flood conditions. Its original toll-keeper's residence was demolished in 1937 as rail transport reduced the crossing's economic importance.

The bridge takes its name from the nearby village of Shillingford and has served as a key river crossing point since its construction. Today visitors can observe how the stone structure still functions as both a practical passage and a reminder of 19th-century community engineering.

The bridge is easy to reach, but vehicle drivers should expect to wait due to traffic light controls, especially during peak times. Walkers and cyclists can use the Thames Path that passes by the structure, giving access to walking routes across the surrounding area.

Until 1874, crossing the bridge required a toll payment managed by a resident official. The shift to free passage occurred after the railway significantly reduced river traffic and made the toll operation no longer economical.

Location: Warborough

Inception: 1827

Official opening: 1767

GPS coordinates: 51.62417,-1.13958

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:03