Framwellgate Bridge

Framwellgate Bridge is a medieval stone arch bridge crossing the River Wear in Durham, North East England. It stands on the site of an earlier 12th-century bridge built for Bishop Ranulf Flambard. The current structure dates from after 1400 and has two shallow arches with reinforcing ribs. In the 18th century a watercolour by Thomas Girtin showed a third Norman-style arch, which may still lie beneath later buildings. The bridge was once fortified with towers and gates, though only one gatehouse survived into the 18th century. The bridge is worth visiting for its long history and connections to notable figures. In 1318 Robert Neville killed his cousin Sir Richard Fitzmarmaduke here. John Leland, the early 16th-century antiquary, recorded three arches, while later widening in the 19th century added two more ribs to the arches. Until 1969 it carried all traffic through central Durham, when Milburngate Bridge took over that role. The bridge is now closed to vehicles and used only by pedestrians. Visitors find a quiet stone bridge with two broad arches spanning the river. The upstream side shows the 19th-century widening, while the downstream side preserves older masonry. At the Durham end older buildings partly hide the remains of the original Norman arch. The river below flows past the cathedral peninsula, offering views of the historic city. The bridge itself, a Grade I listed structure, stands as a calm reminder of Durham’s medieval past.