Bridge of Sighs, Oxford (must see)
The Oxford “Bridge of Sighs,” officially known as the Hertford Bridge, is one of the city’s most photographed landmarks. Spanning New College Lane, it links the Old Quad and New Quad of Hertford College and was completed in 1914.
The bridge was built as a practical connection between college buildings, yet its enclosed form and decorative stonework quickly turned it into an architectural icon. Its popular nickname comes from the supposed resemblance to the famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice, though many observers note that it actually bears a closer resemblance to the Rialto Bridge. Still, “Bridge of Sighs” carries a more romantic appeal, and the name has remained.
Although visitors cannot cross the bridge unless they are students or members of Hertford College, it remains easy to admire from street level. New College Lane offers the best viewpoint, where the bridge appears framed by historic stone buildings and narrow medieval streets. The structure is covered and glass-panelled, giving it an elegant appearance that changes with the light throughout the day.
The bridge is also tied to Oxford folklore. A long-running legend claims that Hertford College once restricted overweight students from using it, encouraging them to take the longer route between buildings instead.
Just behind the bridge, within the grounds of New College, stands an ancient oak tree. It appears in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. In one scene, Harry finds Cedric Diggory sitting nearby and quietly warns him that the first task of the Triwizard Tournament will involve dragons. The same area is also used for the more famous Draco Malfoy scene. Draco appears near the oak tree and taunts Harry before trying to curse him from behind; “Mad-Eye” Moody intervenes, transforms Draco into a white ferret, and bounces him around the courtyard before Professor McGonagall steps in.
While the tree and the cloisters are only a short walk away, they lie within the college grounds and typically require paid admission to New College for a closer view.
The bridge was built as a practical connection between college buildings, yet its enclosed form and decorative stonework quickly turned it into an architectural icon. Its popular nickname comes from the supposed resemblance to the famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice, though many observers note that it actually bears a closer resemblance to the Rialto Bridge. Still, “Bridge of Sighs” carries a more romantic appeal, and the name has remained.
Although visitors cannot cross the bridge unless they are students or members of Hertford College, it remains easy to admire from street level. New College Lane offers the best viewpoint, where the bridge appears framed by historic stone buildings and narrow medieval streets. The structure is covered and glass-panelled, giving it an elegant appearance that changes with the light throughout the day.
The bridge is also tied to Oxford folklore. A long-running legend claims that Hertford College once restricted overweight students from using it, encouraging them to take the longer route between buildings instead.
Just behind the bridge, within the grounds of New College, stands an ancient oak tree. It appears in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. In one scene, Harry finds Cedric Diggory sitting nearby and quietly warns him that the first task of the Triwizard Tournament will involve dragons. The same area is also used for the more famous Draco Malfoy scene. Draco appears near the oak tree and taunts Harry before trying to curse him from behind; “Mad-Eye” Moody intervenes, transforms Draco into a white ferret, and bounces him around the courtyard before Professor McGonagall steps in.
While the tree and the cloisters are only a short walk away, they lie within the college grounds and typically require paid admission to New College for a closer view.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Oxford. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Bridge of Sighs on Map
Sight Name: Bridge of Sighs
Sight Location: Oxford, England (See walking tours in Oxford)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Oxford, England (See walking tours in Oxford)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
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