It is the last remaining example of a medieval fortified bridge with its gatehouse in Great Britain.
The bridge was originally built as a wooden structure before being replaced by stone in the 13th century.
The gatehouse originally featured a portcullis, the grooves for which are still visible.
In the 18th century, the gatehouse served as a lock-up for local prisoners.
The structure was modified in the 19th century to accommodate larger carriages, with side footpaths added to the gatehouse.
The bridge once acted as a defensive checkpoint to levy tolls on goods entering Monmouth.
It is one of the few surviving fortified river bridges in all of Europe.
The bridge has undergone multiple significant restoration projects, most recently in the early 21st century to stabilize the masonry.
Monnow Bridge is the only remaining fortified river bridge in Great Britain with its medieval gatehouse still standing in its original position. Constructed in 1272, the structure spans the River Monnow in Monmouth, Wales. The gatehouse, known as Monnow Gate, was designed for defensive purposes, including the collection of tolls and the control of movement into the town. It is a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The gatehouse features a pointed archway and was once part of a larger defensive wall system surrounding the town. Stone masons added the gatehouse to the bridge in the late 13th century. Today, the bridge is restricted to pedestrians, as a modern road bridge handles vehicle traffic nearby.
The riverbank area south of the bridge, which allows for a full-frame shot of the gatehouse and its reflection in the water.
Walk across the bridge to view the detailed stonework and the original portcullis grooves from up close.
Combine your visit with a walk along the river bank paths for better perspectives of the structure's scale.
The site is small, so it is best visited as part of a larger walking tour of Monmouth's historic town center.
Do not attempt to drive across the bridge as it is designated for pedestrian use only.
