Think of Waverley Bridge as more than just a way to cross from Old Town to New Town. It is also an integral part of the very fabric of Edinburgh Waverley Station. This bridge is a vital artery linking Market Street and Cockburn Street in the Old Town. It connects to Princes Street in the New Town.
Waverley Bridge forms part of the station’s roof. It marks the eastern edge of Princes Street Gardens. The bridge we see today was constructed between 1894 and 1896. Blyth and Westland were the engineers behind it. It is now Category A listed as part of the station complex.
The location of Waverley Bridge is key to understanding Edinburgh’s layout. It stands at the east end of Princes Street Gardens. It is one of three parallel roads that span the valley of the former Nor Loch. These roads connect Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns. To the west of Waverley Bridge is The Mound. To the east is North Bridge.
Originally, two ramps allowed cars and taxis to access the station directly from Waverley Bridge. Since January 2014, that has changed. Now, the ramps primarily serve pedestrians and delivery vehicles.
Halfway across Waverley Bridge on the eastern side sits a unique structure. It is the station’s former parcels office. Like the bridge itself, it is Category A listed. In the 1980s, the old parcels office was transformed. It became a restaurant. Now, it operates as a public house called The Booking Office. It is a great place for a pint.
At the northeast corner of Waverley Bridge where it meets Princes Street is another landmark. It is the Waverley Market shopping center. You will also find a Transport for Edinburgh Travelshop at the southeast corner. It is at the junction with Market Street. This building was originally built for the earlier station of the late 1860s.
The current Waverley Bridge is not the first to stand here. The engineers, Blyth and Westland, incorporated parts of an earlier bridge. This includes the lattice girder structure from the 1870s. The bridge has seven spans. Each span rests on seven octagonal columns. The columns feature Gothic bases. The steel handrail now has a fibreglass covering.
From Waverley Bridge, you get a great view. Look out over Princes Street Gardens and up to Edinburgh Castle. Take a moment to appreciate how this bridge seamlessly blends history. It also combines engineering and modern life in the heart of Edinburgh. The bridge is a testament to Victorian innovation. It also shows how infrastructure can evolve to meet changing needs. It helps the city breathe.