Bigsweir Bridge - River Wye
The elegant cast iron road bridge was built in 1827 as part of the then new St Arvan's to Redbrook turnpike road constructed up the lower part of the Wye valley between Chepstow and Monmouth.
The bridge connects the English and Welsh sides of the river, with an abandoned but recently restored toll house on the Welsh side. The bridge comprises a single arch of 50 metres (55 yd) , and was designed by Charles Hollis of London and cast at Merthyr Tydfil. A pair of stone flood arches were added at each end some years later, doubling the length of the bridge. Because of its narrow width, modern traffic using the A466 is controlled by traffic signals at either end.
Bigsweir Bridge became a Grade II* listed structure in 1988. The Toll House was restored by the Manpower Services Commission Youth Opportunities Project in 1981 – however it is unused.
Bigsweir Bridge - River Wye - July 23, 2016
View from the Monmouthshire side of the River Wye.
L20163466St Arvan's Redbrook Turnpike TrustMONMOUTHSHIREGLOUCESTERSHIREWALESCYMRUENGLANDWYE VALLEYDYFFRYN GWYAFON GWYRIVER WYEBIGSWEIRBIGSWEIR BRIDGELLANDOGOTURNPIKE ROADTOLL BRIDGEST BRIAVELSGWENTLEICA2016leica xvario
Bigsweir Bridge - River Wye - July 23, 2016
View from the Monmouthshire side of the River Wye.
L20163467St Arvan's Redbrook Turnpike TrustMONMOUTHSHIREGLOUCESTERSHIREWALESCYMRUENGLANDWYE VALLEYDYFFRYN GWYAFON GWYRIVER WYEBIGSWEIRBIGSWEIR BRIDGELLANDOGOTURNPIKE ROADTOLL BRIDGEST BRIAVELSGWENTLEICA2016leica xvario
Bigsweir Bridge - River Wye - July 23, 2016
View from the middle of the bridge looking towards the toll house located on the Monmouthshire side of the River Wye.
L20163468St Arvan's Redbrook Turnpike TrustMONMOUTHSHIREGLOUCESTERSHIREWALESCYMRUENGLANDWYE VALLEYDYFFRYN GWYAFON GWYRIVER WYEBIGSWEIRBIGSWEIR BRIDGELLANDOGOTURNPIKE ROADTOLL BRIDGEST BRIAVELSGWENTLEICA2016leica xvario
Bigsweir Bridge - River Wye - July 23, 2016
View from the middle of the bridge looking towards the toll house located on the Monmouthshire side of the River Wye.
L20163469St Arvan's Redbrook Turnpike TrustMONMOUTHSHIREGLOUCESTERSHIREWALESCYMRUENGLANDWYE VALLEYDYFFRYN GWYAFON GWYRIVER WYEBIGSWEIRBIGSWEIR BRIDGELLANDOGOTURNPIKE ROADTOLL BRIDGEST BRIAVELSGWENTLEICA2016leica xvario
Bigsweir Bridge - River Wye - July 23, 2016
View from the Gloucestershire abutment towards Monmouthshire.
L20163470St Arvan's Redbrook Turnpike TrustMONMOUTHSHIREGLOUCESTERSHIREWALESCYMRUENGLANDWYE VALLEYDYFFRYN GWYAFON GWYRIVER WYEBIGSWEIRBIGSWEIR BRIDGELLANDOGOTURNPIKE ROADTOLL BRIDGEST BRIAVELSGWENTLEICA2016leica xvario
Bigsweir Bridge - River Wye - July 23, 2016
The Gloucestershire abutment showing one of the flood arches which were added after construction.
L20163471St Arvan's Redbrook Turnpike TrustMONMOUTHSHIREGLOUCESTERSHIREWALESCYMRUENGLANDWYE VALLEYDYFFRYN GWYAFON GWYRIVER WYEBIGSWEIRBIGSWEIR BRIDGELLANDOGOTURNPIKE ROADTOLL BRIDGEST BRIAVELSGWENTLEICA2016leica xvario
Bigsweir Bridge - River Wye - July 23, 2016
View from the Gloucestershire side of the River Wye
L20163472St Arvan's Redbrook Turnpike TrustMONMOUTHSHIREGLOUCESTERSHIREWALESCYMRUENGLANDWYE VALLEYDYFFRYN GWYAFON GWYRIVER WYEBIGSWEIRBIGSWEIR BRIDGELLANDOGOTURNPIKE ROADTOLL BRIDGEST BRIAVELSGWENTLEICA2016leica xvario
Bigsweir Bridge - River Wye - July 23, 2016
View from the Gloucestershire side of the River Wye
L20163473St Arvan's Redbrook Turnpike TrustMONMOUTHSHIREGLOUCESTERSHIREWALESCYMRUENGLANDWYE VALLEYDYFFRYN GWYAFON GWYRIVER WYEBIGSWEIRBIGSWEIR BRIDGELLANDOGOTURNPIKE ROADTOLL BRIDGEST BRIAVELSGWENTLEICA2016leica xvario
Bigsweir Bridge - River Wye - July 23, 2016
View from the Gloucestershire side of the River Wye
L20163478St Arvan's Redbrook Turnpike TrustMONMOUTHSHIREGLOUCESTERSHIREWALESCYMRUENGLANDWYE VALLEYDYFFRYN GWYAFON GWYRIVER WYEBIGSWEIRBIGSWEIR BRIDGELLANDOGOTURNPIKE ROADTOLL BRIDGEST BRIAVELSGWENTLEICA2016leica xvario
Bigsweir Bridge - River Wye - July 23, 2016
View from the Gloucestershire side of the bridge.
L20163479St Arvan's Redbrook Turnpike TrustMONMOUTHSHIREGLOUCESTERSHIREWALESCYMRUENGLANDWYE VALLEYDYFFRYN GWYAFON GWYRIVER WYEBIGSWEIRBIGSWEIR BRIDGELLANDOGOTURNPIKE ROADTOLL BRIDGEST BRIAVELSGWENTLEICA2016leica xvario
Bigsweir Bridge - River Wye - July 23, 2016
The upstream side of the bridge looking across to the toll house which is on the Monmouthshire side of the bridge.
L20163480St Arvan's Redbrook Turnpike TrustMONMOUTHSHIREGLOUCESTERSHIREWALESCYMRUENGLANDWYE VALLEYDYFFRYN GWYAFON GWYRIVER WYEBIGSWEIRBIGSWEIR BRIDGELLANDOGOTURNPIKE ROADTOLL BRIDGEST BRIAVELSGWENTLEICA2016leica xvario
Bigsweir Bridge - River Wye - July 23, 2016
The toll house which is located on the Monmouthshire side of Bigsweir Bridge.
L20163481St Arvan's Redbrook Turnpike TrustMONMOUTHSHIREGLOUCESTERSHIREWALESCYMRUENGLANDWYE VALLEYDYFFRYN GWYAFON GWYRIVER WYEBIGSWEIRBIGSWEIR BRIDGELLANDOGOTURNPIKE ROADTOLL BRIDGEST BRIAVELSGWENTLEICA2016leica xvario
Bigsweir Bridge - River Wye - July 23, 2016
The toll house restored in 1981 is well maintained but having passed by almost every year I can't recall it being used. It would make an excellent holiday home / self catering let.
L20163482St Arvan's Redbrook Turnpike TrustMONMOUTHSHIREGLOUCESTERSHIREWALESCYMRUENGLANDWYE VALLEYDYFFRYN GWYAFON GWYRIVER WYEBIGSWEIRBIGSWEIR BRIDGELLANDOGOTURNPIKE ROADTOLL BRIDGEST BRIAVELSGWENTLEICA2016leica xvario
Bigsweir Bridge - River Wye - July 23, 2016
Plaque commemorating the restoration of the toll house.
L20163483St Arvan's Redbrook Turnpike TrustMONMOUTHSHIREGLOUCESTERSHIREWALESCYMRUENGLANDWYE VALLEYDYFFRYN GWYAFON GWYRIVER WYEBIGSWEIRBIGSWEIR BRIDGELLANDOGOTURNPIKE ROADTOLL BRIDGEST BRIAVELSGWENTLEICA2016leica xvario