Conwy Suspension Bridge

The Conwy Suspension Bridge stands in the medieval town of Conwy in North Wales. It is a Grade I-listed structure and one of the world’s first road suspension bridges. The bridge spans the River Conwy next to Conwy Castle, a World Heritage Site. Thomas Telford designed it to blend with the castle’s style. The bridge originally carried the main road from Chester to Bangor. It was built between 1822 and 1826 and replaced a ferry at the same spot. The bridge is worth the journey for its engineering significance and history. Telford’s design used four tiers of chains carried over castellated towers. Later, a fifth tier of cables was added, and wire cables were installed above the iron chains in 1903. The bridge was strengthened and widened for pedestrians in 1904. It was closed to road traffic in 1958 when a new bridge opened nearby. The National Trust has cared for it since 1965. Visitors find a quiet path across the river with views of the castle and town. The bridge’s iron deck and stone towers remain as they were in the 19th century. The chains are anchored to the castle’s barbican and bedrock on one side. The other side uses a freestone and concrete plinth. The bridge now serves as a permissive path for walkers.