Scheduled MonumentsWalesMonnow Bridge
Medieval · Bridge

Monnow Bridge

Wales
Cadw SAM MM008
Period
Medieval
Site type
Bridge
Broad class
Transport
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Monnow Bridge is a medieval stone bridge crossing the River Monnow at Monmouth in Gwent, Wales, and represents one of the finest examples of 13th-century bridge architecture in Britain. Constructed in the early 1270s, likely under the patronage of the Norman lords of Monmouth, the bridge features a distinctive fortified gatehouse tower at its eastern end, a rare survival that served both defensive and administrative functions for controlling traffic across the river and into the town. The structure comprises a series of stone arches with cutwaters designed to break the flow of water, and the integrated tower exemplifies the strategic importance of the crossing during the medieval period. As a Scheduled Ancient Monument under Cadw's protection, Monnow Bridge remains substantially intact and continues to carry traffic, making it an exceptionally well-preserved example of medieval civil engineering and border fortification.

Monnow Bridge is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference MM008. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Monnow Bridge?

Monnow Bridge is a medieval stone bridge crossing the River Monnow at Monmouth in Gwent, Wales, and represents one of the finest examples of 13th-century bridge architecture in Britain. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference MM008.

What period does Monnow Bridge date from?

Monnow Bridge dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a bridge. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Monnow Bridge?

Monnow Bridge is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is MM008.

What other scheduled monuments are near Monnow Bridge?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Trellech Cross Cross-Base (8.5 km), Gaer 594m SW of Trellech Cross (8.8 km), Dovecot at Hygga Farm (9.1 km).

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