Pulteney Bridge
Pulteney Bridge crosses the River Avon, in the centre of Bath. It was completed in 1773 and is designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building.
The bridge was designed by Robert Adam, whose working drawings are preserved in the Sir John Soane's Museum, and is one of only four bridges in the world with shops across the full span on both sides.Shops on the bridge include a flower shop, antique map shop, and juice bar. When you are actually on the bridge you could be unaware that you are actually on a bridge as it looks just like a normal street.
It is named after Frances Pulteney, heiress in 1767 of the Bathwick estate across the river from Bath. Bathwick was a simple village in a rural setting, but Frances's husband William could see its potential. He made plans to create a new town, which would become a suburb to the historic city of Bath. First he needed a better river crossing than the existing ferry, hence the bridge.
In 1936 the bridge became scheduled as a national monument, with plans being made for the restoration of the original façade. The restoration was completed in time for the Festival of Britain in 1951, with further work being carried out in 1975. It is now one of the best-known buildings in a city famed for its Georgian architecture.
The Avon is navigable from its mouth at Avonmouth as far as Pulteney weir in the centre of Bath. The Kennet and Avon Canal connects with the Avon just below this weir and Bath Locks. Together with the Kennet Navigation and the River Thames it provides a through route for canal boats from Bristol to London.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulteney_Bridge
Pulteney Bridge
Pulteney Bridge crosses the River Avon, in the centre of Bath. It was completed in 1773 and is designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building.
The bridge was designed by Robert Adam, whose working drawings are preserved in the Sir John Soane's Museum, and is one of only four bridges in the world with shops across the full span on both sides.Shops on the bridge include a flower shop, antique map shop, and juice bar. When you are actually on the bridge you could be unaware that you are actually on a bridge as it looks just like a normal street.
It is named after Frances Pulteney, heiress in 1767 of the Bathwick estate across the river from Bath. Bathwick was a simple village in a rural setting, but Frances's husband William could see its potential. He made plans to create a new town, which would become a suburb to the historic city of Bath. First he needed a better river crossing than the existing ferry, hence the bridge.
In 1936 the bridge became scheduled as a national monument, with plans being made for the restoration of the original façade. The restoration was completed in time for the Festival of Britain in 1951, with further work being carried out in 1975. It is now one of the best-known buildings in a city famed for its Georgian architecture.
The Avon is navigable from its mouth at Avonmouth as far as Pulteney weir in the centre of Bath. The Kennet and Avon Canal connects with the Avon just below this weir and Bath Locks. Together with the Kennet Navigation and the River Thames it provides a through route for canal boats from Bristol to London.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulteney_Bridge