Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Llangollen Bridge
Llangollen, Denbighshire, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Bridge
- Period
- Medieval
- Community
- Llangollen
- Unitary authority
- Denbighshire
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 52.97105, -3.17020
- SAM number
- DE026
- Cadw record number
- 3667
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1795 "To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most humbly inscribed by his obedient humble servant" (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales).
Cadw's description
Summary description and reason for designation
The following provides a general description of the scheduled ancient monument.
The monument consists of the remains of a bridge, dating to the medieval or post-medieval period. Llangollen Bridge is thought to have been built by Henry I, and was probably reconstructed in 1346 by Dr. John Trevor (Bishop of St Asaph 1346-1357), and then replaced in the 16th century. The bridge was extended at the north end to span the railway line in May 1863, and the parapets were rebuilt. The width of the bridge was greatly widened on the upstream side in 1873 and in 1968 it was again nearly doubled in width to the same side. The river is spanned by 4 arches, unequally pointed and with voussoirs, of coursed rubble to the older part, precast concrete to the upstream side. There are deep pointed cutwaters to both sides (taller to downstream side) and a square-headed railway opening.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval or post-medieval construction techniques and transportation systems. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information concerning chronology and building techniques.
The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.
Nearby in the register
- Llangollen BridgeTransportunder 1 mi
- Gated Driveway Entrance to Llangollen Railway StationTransportunder 1 mi
- Embankment Wall to Railway (including below Station)Transportunder 1 mi
- Pillar Box on Pavement outside No.1Communicationsunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.