Wye Bridge, Hereford

Wye Bridge is a road bridge in Hereford built from sandstone and divided into six bays with intricate stonework throughout. Pedestrian walkways run along the sides, with widened refuges built into the parapets where people can step aside from traffic.

The structure was built around 1450 to replace an earlier timber crossing from 1100 that had become inadequate. During the 1645 siege of Hereford in the English Civil War, the bridge suffered significant damage that was later repaired.

The bridge connects the cathedral area with districts south of the river and has been a vital crossing for daily life in Hereford for centuries. Locals and visitors cross it constantly as part of moving through different parts of the city.

You can walk across the bridge at any time, with the wide sidewalks offering good views of the water below. Traffic moves regularly across the structure, so step into the side refuges if you need to pause or let vehicles pass.

The bridge reveals multiple construction phases in its different bays, having been altered and reinforced over the centuries. If you look closely at the stonework, you can spot different techniques and materials that reflect different time periods.