Did you know that Bristol is named after a bridge? Its original name was Brigstow, which literally means “the place by the bridge”. That’s long before the city’s iconic landmark, Clifton Suspension Bridge, was built, and today Bristol boasts over 45 walkable bridges—and you can even cross them all in a single trip without doubling back. Each one holds a special place in many a heart, but we’ve picked out the standout bridges in Bristol because, why not?
1. Gaol Ferry Bridge
You thought it’d be Clifton Suspension Bridge at number one, didn’t you? Well, I think the Gaol Ferry Bridge is the best bridge in Bristol. Why? I like its name, I like the look of it, and I like that it connects two of Bristol’s most thriving areas: Bedminster and Wapping Wharf. It’s the standout of the many bridges crossing the New Cut of the River Avon. We’d be, and were, lost without it. I mean, there was literally a party when it reopened after being closed for over a year. You won’t find any other bridge in Bristol that gets that sort of treatment.
2. Clifton Suspension Bridge
Just because it isn’t my favourite of Bristol bridges, doesn’t mean it isn’t one of the best. Clifton Suspension Bridge is iconic for a reason, and opening in 1864, Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s “first child, my darling” is an engineering marvel. My favourite fact is that the abutment on the Clifton side of the bridge is three feet higher than on the Leigh Woods side, so that from a distance, it looks completely horizontal.
You can also go inside it. A builder carrying out repairs in 2002 accidentally stumbled upon 12 vaulted chambers within the Leigh Woods abutment – the largest chamber is said to be as tall as three double-decker buses stacked on top of each other! You can learn more about these Hard Hat Tours of Clifton Suspension Bridge here.
3. Banana Bridge
It’s actually called Langton Street Bridge, but how boring is that? There isn’t even a Langton Street in Bristol anymore, which was lost to WW2 bombings. Luckily, Bristolians have lovingly renamed it Banana Bridge because… well, it’s yellow and curved. It was originally located downstream as a temporary replacement for Bedminster Bridge, while a new one was being built, but was moved to its current position in 1884.
4. Pero’s Bridge
I can’t imagine many people know what this bridge is called. Pero’s Bridge is actually named after a slave who arrived in Bristol from the Caribbean Island of Nevis in 1783, but the Irish artist Eilis O’Connell, who designed it, wasn’t a fan. “The council can call it what they want, but Pero’s Bridge sounds a bit political.”
I’ve heard people call the footbridge on Bristol’s floating harbour everything from the Millennium Bridge to the Horned Bridge, and even Shrek’s Bridge. But I don’t care what you call it, though, I like its two abstract trumpet thingy-majigs and all the lovers’ padlocks attached to it. If you like, I’ve written a whole article about Bristol’s public art, and you can read more about it here.
5. St Philip’s Footbridge
St Philip’s Footbridge is so high on this list for me because it’s just so baffling. The bridge is shaped like a forked steel beam and is pretty distinct looking, but you also can’t cross it. While many of the bridges feature for their use, it’s this footbridge’s uselessness that I find so captivating.
It was built to improve access to Temple Island, where, you know, there was going to be an events stadium at one point… That was scrapped before the £3 million bridge was even finished. You can get onto the bridge from the St Philip’s side, but the other side is blocked off, making it useless for now. Let’s hope it has a future one day!
6. Prince Street Bridge
If you hadn’t noticed by now, this list is absolutely based on nothing and just my way of ranting about things I like or dislike about certain bridges. I equally love and loathe Prince Street Bridge for the same reason. The swing bridge has made me late more times than I can remember, but it’s also kind of cool seeing it in action. It’s just frustrating that there’s no other way to get from Arnolfini to Spike Island quickly. And no, I’m not taking the ferry, Google Maps.
7. Brunel’s Other Bridge
Brunel’s Other Bridge, aka Brunel’s Swing Bridge, isn’t as famous, but it is far older than the Suspension Bridge. As Brunel’s first large wrought iron opening bridge, it was built in 1849 to carry traffic over the South Entrance Lock (‘Brunel’s Lock’) in the Cumberland Basin. It was later shortened and relocated to over the North Entrance Lock (‘Howard’s Lock’), and is now located under the Plimsoll Bridge, where it lies out of use.
8. Castle Bridge
It connects Castle Park to the Left Handed Giant Brewpub and wiggles in an S-shape. What’s not to love about one of the newest bridges in Bristol?
9. Vauxhall Bridge
You can’t currently walk along the Grade II-listed footbridge (expected to reopen in 2026), but it’s still pretty cool. Vauxhall Bridge in Bristol was built around 1900 and was originally a swing bridge – although it hasn’t swung open since 1935. What sets it apart from the rest is that it was attacked during World War 2, and is still carrying visible bullet holes and bomb damage.
10. Kingsweston Iron Bridge
With over 65% of the vote, Kingsweston Iron Bridge very recently won the 2024 Bridgehunter Awards for ‘Best Example of a Restored Historic Bridge’. A truck collided with this Grade II-listed cast iron footbridge in 2015, which links Blaise Castle Estate to Kingsweston Fields, and it was closed for several years after that. But, after a £1.1m restoration project, it was raised by a metre and reopened last year. Over 200 years old, it could well be one of Bristol’s oldest bridges – and so it’s great to have it back!