Cleveland Bridge

Cleveland Bridge spans the River Avon in Bath, linking Walcot on the north bank with Bathwick on the south. It was built in 1826 by William Hazledine using ironwork from Coalbrookdale and designed by Henry Goodridge. The bridge stands on the site of a Roman ferry crossing and carries Bathwick Street over the river. Four small lodges in neoclassical style stand at each corner, resembling miniature Greek temples. Only one lodge served as a toll house; the others became homes or shops. The bridge’s golden Bath Stone and elegant cast-iron arch reflect Georgian Bath’s refined taste. Today it remains a Grade II* listed structure within the city’s World Heritage Site. The bridge’s history includes a failed toll system set at one penny, which soon became worthless as prices rose. By the 1920s the tolls no longer covered costs, and the city took it over in 1927. After the Second World War neglect left three lodges derelict until a local charity restored them as homes. In 2019 engineers found serious corrosion in the supporting bars, leading to weight restrictions and major repairs. Despite its age, the bridge now carries 17,000 vehicles daily, including heavy trucks heading north from southern ports. Visitors see the four restored lodges, three now private homes and one still in use as a studio. Ceramic artist Peter Hayes works below his gallery in lodge number 2, using river water to create mineral patinas on his sculptures. The bridge’s symmetrical design and warm stone remain striking against the flowing Avon. Bath’s fire and ambulance stations sit beside it, their crews often crossing during emergencies. The repaired structure carries modern traffic while keeping its early 19th-century elegance intact.