Monnow Bridge

Monnow Bridge is a medieval stone bridge with a fortified gatehouse spanning the River Monnow at Monmouth in Wales. The structure is noted for its surviving gate tower built over the bridge deck.

A compact medieval bridge with a gatehouse provides a clear example of river-crossing defence architecture; the preserved tower once served as a town gate. The bridge and tower can be viewed from both riverbanks and from adjacent streets, and the structure is a focal point in Monmouth’s historic town centre.

The bridge and its gatehouse date to the medieval period, with the gate tower constructed in the late 13th to early 14th centuries as part of the town’s defenses. The crossing continued in regular use for road traffic until a modern bypass was built in the early 21st century, after which the structure was retained as a historic monument and listed building.

Monnow Bridge crosses the River Monnow at the center of Monmouth in Wales, within the town’s historic core and a short walk from other civic and heritage sites.

• Unique status: It is the only remaining medieval fortified river bridge in Great Britain with its gate tower positioned on the bridge itself.

What to See #

• Gatehouse (tower): The central gatehouse sits over the medieval roadway and contains the original defensive features of the tower that once controlled access across the span.
• Bridge arches and deck: The stone bridge structure retains the medieval arches that span the River Monnow and forms the surviving bridge deck and parapets.