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Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales

Leckwith Bridge

Canton, Cardiff, Wales

A scheduled monument in Canton, Cardiff, recorded as Bridge (Medieval).

Ordnance Survey six-inch map, 2nd edition (1888–1913) covering the location of Leckwith Bridge, Canton, Cardiff, with a pin at the register's coordinates
Ordnance Survey six-inch map, 2nd edition (1888–1913), covering this location. Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland. The pin is ours, placed from the register's coordinates.

The record

Designation
Scheduled monument
Site type
Bridge
Period
Medieval
Community
Canton
Unitary authority
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
51.46993, -3.21200
SAM number
GM014
Cadw record number
1134

Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.

David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1636 map "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).

Historical maps covering this location

  • 1636 · Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ... (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1637 · The fourth table of England. Cornub. Devonia, Somerset etc. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1865 · England and Wales. England No. 6. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1898 · 263 Cardiff (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1913 · Sheet 110. Cardiff & Mouth of the Severn. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)

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This record in Cadw's own full report ↗

Cadw's description

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument consists of the remains of a bridge dating to the medieval period. The bridge crosses the canalised River Ely just north-west of the modern day A4055. The bridge is of rubble stone construction with three arches, the two outer ones pointed with double arch rings, the centre one semi-circular and probably rebuilt. The carriageway measures about 2.75m wide with refuges above the pointed cutwaters. The two elevations are the same and the low parapet walls are topped by flat slabs.

Whilst medieval in origin, it was possibly partly reconstructed in the 17th century, with the central arch probably rebuilt in the 18th century. The bridge was by-passed in 1934. Leland recorded Leckwith Bridge as being 'soundly built of stone' in 1536.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of 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

Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.

Designated Historic Asset GIS Data, The Welsh Historic Environment Service (Cadw), 2026-09-07, licensed under the Open Government Licence http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ Cadw, the Welsh Historic Environment Service · Open Government Licence v3.0
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