Ever wondered about the secrets held within Magdalen Bridge? This iconic Oxford landmark isn’t just a pretty face. It’s a silent witness to centuries of history.
Magdalen Bridge gracefully spans the Cherwell River. It connects Oxford’s High Street to The Plain a roundabout now. Its current form dates back to 1790. However its story begins much earlier.
For centuries people crossed the Cherwell at this very spot. A bridge existed as far back as 1004. Imagine a simple wooden structure perhaps a drawbridge. By the 16th century a grander stone bridge stood tall. This medieval bridge boasted twenty arches and stretched 1500 feet. It was a marvel of engineering for its time.
However progress has its price. By the 1770s the old bridge became too narrow. It couldn’t handle the growing traffic. Floods added to its woes. Some arches collapsed in 1772. The old bridge was beyond repair.
Enter John Gwynn. This Shrewsbury architect designed the current bridge. Its construction lasted from 1772 to 1790. John Randall oversaw the building process. The new Magdalen Bridge boasts eleven arches of varying sizes. Three large semicircular arches grace each river branch. Smaller arches accommodate towpaths. A central elliptical arch completes the design. This arch only sees water when the island floods.
Gwynn’s initial design included elaborate balustrades with sculptures and sphinxes. However these plans were abandoned. The bridge opened to traffic in 1778 though final touches continued until 1790. Despite opposition the bridge was widened in 1882 to make way for a tramway.
Today Magdalen Bridge is more than a passageway. Every May Day morning crowds gather here for the May Morning celebrations. It’s also a popular starting point for punting on the Cherwell. The bridge’s history is alive. It’s woven into the fabric of Oxford itself. It continues to link past and present. Magdalen Bridge stands as a testament to Oxford’s enduring spirit.