Monkwearmouth Bridge

Monkwearmouth Bridge is a railway bridge spanning the River Wear in Sunderland, designed with a distinctive bowstring truss structure made from wrought iron. The main central span stretches approximately 300 feet (90 meters), with masonry arches anchoring each end of the crossing.

The bridge was built in 1879 and provided the first direct railway link between Newcastle and Sunderland. This connection transformed regional travel and commerce across Northeast England.

The bridge received Grade II listed status in 1978, recognizing its engineering heritage as one of the largest hogsback iron bridges of the Victorian period.

You can view the bridge from nearby riverside paths and walkways that offer good vantage points of the structure and the river below. The surrounding area has parking and other amenities for visitors exploring this part of Sunderland.

The bridge rises roughly 26 meters above the water's surface and showcases Victorian ironwork engineering at its finest. It received Grade II listed status in 1978, recognizing its significance as one of the era's largest wrought-iron arched structures.

Location: Sunderland

Official opening: 1879

GPS coordinates: 54.90989,-1.38348

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:21