Bridges of York Tour (Self Guided), York

The Millenium Bridge was commissioned in 2001 with a formal ceremony. It is located in the south of York and links Hospital Fields Road in Fulford with Butcher Terrace on the South Bank. The bridge has a cycle path and footpath, and no pass for vehicular traffic. It is York’s number one attraction and has a wonderful view of the Ouse River.

The Blue Bridge is located where the Ouse and Foss rivers meet. The original bridge on this site was built in 1738. The present bridge was built in 1895. Two Russian cannons, trophies of the Crimean War, once stood at each end of the bridge, but have since been removed.

The Skeldergate Bridge connects York Castle on one bank to the old bailey at Baile Hill on the other. It is York’s second bridge of the Victorian era. It was built in 1880 by George Gordon Page and initially served as a toll bridge. On April 1, 1914 the toll system was abolished. It also served as a drawbridge until 1975.

The original wooden bridge over the Foss had a fish market on it. The present bridge, designed by Peter Atkinson, opened to the public in 1812. The Foss Bridge, which connects Fossgate and Walmgate streets, is famous for its Georgian grindstone arch with balusters. This unique feature is not found in any other bridge in York.

The first bridge over the Ouse was built by the Romans and was replaced with a wooden one by the Vikings. In 1154, when people had gathered to honor St. William of York, the bridge collapsed, killing many attendees. It was rebuilt in stone, but winter floods of 1565 damaged the bridge. It was repaired and a central arch spanning 81 feet was added. The present bridge was constructed in 1821.

The Lendal Bridge, a beautiful iron bridge designed by Thomas Page, connects Station Road to Museum Street. It was constructed in 1863 and is the earliest bridge erected in York during the Victorian era. It features two Gothic towers on each end: the Barker Tower on the west and the Lendal Tower on the east. When York had become more industrialized, the ferry service across the Ouse couldn't manage the increasing stream of passengers and the Lendal Bridge was built to satisfy public needs.

Scarborough Railway Bridge, built in 1845, was the second of the present bridges crossing the Ouse River. It carries the railway line between York and Scarborough. Initially it had a pedestrian path between the tracks. In 1875, the track was raised 1.2 meters and the path was moved to the south side, where it can be found today.