St Ives Bridge, Stone bridge in St Ives, England
St Ives Bridge is a stone structure with multiple arches spanning the River Great Ouse, linking the northern and southern sections of the town. The design displays characteristic medieval engineering with curved stone spans supporting the crossing above the flowing water.
This structure was built between 1414 and 1425, replacing an earlier wooden crossing that monks from Ramsey Abbey had constructed in 1107. During the English Civil War, two arches on the southern side were demolished to prevent King Charles I's forces from crossing at this location.
The structure houses a medieval chapel dedicated to St Leger within its design, representing a rare example of religious architecture integrated into a bridge across England.
The structure continues to function as the main crossing over the river, accommodating both vehicles and pedestrians moving through the town. When visiting, it helps to view the bridge from both the northern and southern riverbanks to appreciate its full architectural form.
The damage inflicted during the Civil War remains visible today, with the missing arches on the southern side clearly showing the impact of this military action. This makes the location a rare example of a bridge that serves as a record of conflict.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
