Monmouth Bridge

Monmouth Bridge and tower over the river Monnow

Wednesday 16th September 2015

I have driven through Monmouth a number of times, but on the bypass. I was delighted to have some time to visit and photograph the only surviving medieval fortified river bridge in the country, complete with tower on the bridge. It was built about 1300 and was part of the protection of the town by the building of town walls and gates. There would have been a portcullis in front of the gate on the bridge and its main use was to collect tolls. I think it is wonderful that it has survived, considering it was still taking traffic across until 2004 when it was pedestrianised. I thought this was the best angle to include all the bridge features, sadly, the blue gable end wall of the house cannot be hidden!