Pulteney Bridge, Bath: Grade 1 Listed Gem
Pulteney Bridge in Bath is one of the most photographed examples of Georgian architecture in the city.
The historic bridge is one of only four bridges in the world to have shops across its full span on both sides.
Grade 1 listed, it was designed in 1769 by Robert Adam and named after Frances Pulteney, wife of William Johnstone Pulteney.
William was an important man in Georgian Bath, owning a lot of land in the surrounding area.
He had grand plans to create a 'new town' to rival that of John Wood's on the west side of the city.
His grand scheme needed a new bridge and he didn't want just any old bridge, he wanted a spectacular bridge, one which everyone would talk about.
The architecture is classical, with pediments, pilasters and tiny leaded domes at either end.
Pulteney Bridge was constructed in a Palladian style, which was made famous by the Italian architect Andrea Palladio in the 16th century.
The architect responsible for Pulteney Bridge, Robert Adam, took inspiration from Palladio’s designs when he visited the Ponte Vecchio bridge which spans the river Arno in Florence, Italy.
While the Palladian style is modest in comparison to other styles from the same era, Pulteney Bridge is a remarkable structure that is one of Bath’s most visited attractions.
Within 20 years of its construction, alterations were made that expanded the shops and changed the façades.
By the end of the 18th century, it had been damaged by floods, but was rebuilt to a similar design.
Over the next century alterations to the shops included cantilevered extensions on the bridge's north face.
In the 20th century, several schemes were carried out to preserve the bridge and partially return it to its original appearance, enhancing its appeal as a tourist attraction.
The bridge is now 148ft long and 58ft wide.
Although there have been plans to pedestrianise the bridge, it is still used by buses and taxis.
The much photographed bridge and weir below are close to the centre of the city, a World Heritage Site, renowned for its Georgian architecture.
Today, it is surely one of the world's most beautiful and romantic bridges, best viewed from Parade Gardens and the crescent weir.
You might recognise this iconic landmark from popular movies, especially Les Misérables.
Featuring an all-star cast, the Oscar-winning musical film Les Misérables shot scenes in Bath.
Pulteney Bridge and its horseshow weir were used as the location where Javert, played by Russell Crowe, takes his own life by dramatically plunging into the River Seine.
The bridge has also featured in many novels including ‘Bleed for Me’ by award-winning crime fiction writer Michael Robotham, ‘Spring Music’ by best-selling novelist Elvi Rhodes and ‘Missing You’ by romance author Louise Douglas.
Regular boat trips leave from here heading upriver to Bathampton and on the bridge itself you will find many restaurants.
The restaurants offer different types of cuisine to suit all price ranges, as well as independent shops and Bath Rugby Club's official merchandise store.
Bath’s iconic architecture is one of the many reasons why the city is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, from its Roman origins to the fashionable eighteenth-century designs that form many of the city’s most recognisable buildings.
It was the Georgian period that completely transformed Bath’s society, architecture and history, helping to make it the beautiful and iconic place that it is today.
Did you know that Bath has a staggering 5,000 listed buildings and offers the most impressive Georgian architecture in the country?
During the eighteenth century, three ambitious local entrepreneurs set out to make Bath one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
A former mayor of Bath, Ralph Allen, created the beautiful and intimate Prior Park Landscape Garden, Richard ‘Beau’ Nash played a leading role in making Bath the most fashionable resort in eighteenth century England.
John Wood the Elder designed many streets and iconic buildings, such as the Circus and Queen Square.
His son, John Wood the Younger, followed in his footsteps and created the Royal Crescent.
The Royal Crescent is one of the most famous architectural triumphs in Bath, comprising of 30 houses laid out in a crescent shape.
Built between 1767 and 1774, it is among the greatest examples of Georgian architecture in the world.
Of course, a trip to Bath wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Roman Baths, pictured below.
Constructed in around 70AD as a grand bathing and socialising complex, the Roman Baths is one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world.
1,170,000 litres of steaming spring water, reaching 46°C, still fills the bathing site every single day.
The Roman Baths is the site of extensive ruins and an interactive museum filled with many treasures and visual snippets that transport you back to Roman times and the lives of the Aquae Sulis people.
Walk on ancient pavements as the Romans did 2,000 years ago, and explore chambers historically housing changing rooms and tepid plunge pools.
Pulteney Bridge has raving reviews on TripAdvisor.
One recent visitor said: “This is a great spectacle and a wonderful piece of architecture. Bath is the only place where a bridge like this feels truly at home.
”The views of it are lovely and the views from it, specifically from one of the pretty little cafes on the bridge itself are also beautiful.”
”Apart from bridges in Italy like the Rialto and the ponte vecchio I haven’t seen anything like it. Adorned with shops and cafes that are worth a quick look in their own right.”
Another person added: “This is my favourite part of Bath and that's high praise in a beautiful city. Day or night it's beautiful.
”Nice cake and coffee on the bridge and just looking at the river from above. The boat trip is well worth doing and if you're lucky some nice wildlife.”
If you’d like to visit this bridge, the address is: Bridge St, Bath BA2 4AT.
It’s beautiful to visit anytime of year!
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