Hanging Bridge, Manchester

Hanging Bridge, Manchester

Manchester’s Hanging Bridge is one of the city’s oldest surviving structures. The first known reference to the bridge is in a manuscript dating back to 1343. This bridge was replaced a century later by the present structure, which can still be seen today. The bridge gained its name from its location over the Hanging Ditch, a trench which linked the Rivers Irk & Irwell, close to where Manchester Castle once stood, in the northern quarter of the city centre. Historians have speculated that material from the castle may have been used in the construction of the bridge. The River Dene is believed to have passed along the trench. This mystical river, now disappeared, lends its name to Deansgate, one of Manchester’s most popular streets.

The Hanging Ditch and its namesake bridge may have existed since Roman occupation of the city, when it was known as Mamucium. This is believed to be the origin of the term Mancunian, which is often applied to the city and its residents. The bridge fell out of use in the medieval era before being excavated in the Victorian era. A double arched bridge constructed from sandstone, the bridge has been preserved as a museum piece, and can be seen within the Visitor Centre at Manchester Cathedral, close to where the Hanging Bridge was first constructed.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Manchester. 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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Hanging Bridge on Map

Sight Name: Hanging Bridge
Sight Location: Manchester, England (See walking tours in Manchester)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Manchester, England

Create Your Own Walk in Manchester

Create Your Own Walk in Manchester

Creating your own self-guided walk in Manchester is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Edwardian Architecture Tour

Edwardian Architecture Tour

A product of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester is noted for its warehouses, railway viaducts, cotton mills, and canals, reflecting the most ambitious and exciting phase of the city's history.

During the reign of King Edward VII, which spanned from 1901 to 1910, Manchester experienced a significant boom in architectural development. This period saw a shift towards more ornate and...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Manchester Historical Architecture Tour

Manchester Historical Architecture Tour

Manchester’s architecture is rich in styles. Throughout centuries, the city has evolved in phases, each of which left its peculiar imprint on the city's architectural tapestry. Here, you can see medieval red-brick buildings coexisting harmoniously with concrete-and-glass structures from the modern era.

One notable landmark in Manchester is the Statue of Prince Albert, a regal monument...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Manchester Introduction Walking Tour

Manchester Introduction Walking Tour

The seventh most populated city in England, Manchester is an important cultural, industrial and historic center.

The recorded history of Manchester began with the civilian settlement associated with the Roman fort established circa 79 AD on a sandstone bluff near the confluence of the rivers Medlock and Irwell. Having been a manorial township throughout the Middle Ages, Manchester enjoyed rapid...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Top 10 Cafes and Sweet Shops in Manchester

Top 10 Cafes and Sweet Shops in Manchester

Heading up Oldham Street from Picadilly Gardens you arrive at The Northern Quarter; the ‘cool’ part of Manchester, think Brooklyn, Shoreditch, Le Marais; trendy young things with fancy haircuts frequent the coffee houses, boutique and vintage shops during the day and the bars once night-time...