Llangynidr Bridge, Crickhowell, United Kingdom

Llangynidr Bridge is an early 18th-century bridge that crosses the River Usk to the north of Llangynidr. The existing stone bridge dates from approximately 1700, and is thought by some to be the oldest bridge on the River Usk. It replaced an earlier bridge that was located 500m further west; the sale deeds of a local smithy, dated 1630, contain the first known reference to that earlier bridge, which itself replaced a wooden bridge shown on a land survey of 1587.

Llangynidr Bridge lies in the Hundred (county division) of Crickhowell and is similar in style to the Crickhowell Bridge over the Usk, which dates from 1706. It has six arches divided by v-shaped cutwaters topped by pedestrian refuges and parapets with plain coping stones. The cutwaters continue up to the parapet, in order to provide spaces for pedestrians to stand to avoid wheeled traffic crossing the bridge. It is 69m long and the road is 2.4m wide. It is considered a particularly impressive example because of its height - reducing the danger of flooding - and its location, which gives a good view of the architecture.

Llangynidr Bridge is known to have been repaired in 1707, and again in 1822. In 1794 a turnpike gate was set up on the Bwlch side of the river, and the right to collect the tolls was auctioned off in 1800. The turnpike cottage is still standing and was purchased from the Beaufort estate in 1915 by the family of one of the earliest toll-keepers. Theophilus Jones, passing through in 1809, noted that the responsibility for repairs lay with the hundred of Crickhowell. Further repairs were carried out in 2015–16. The bridge has been painted over the years by many artists, notably Sir Cedric Morris, whose painting of the bridge has been purchased for Y Gaer, Elizabeth Wynter and Gwyn Briwnant Jones.

A short way from the bridge is a standing stone, 14 feet tall, which stands on a field boundary.

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User Reviews

Christine (3 years ago)
Beautiful bridge. Stupid traffic control. Why no traffic lights? Dangerous and idiotic, especially when you have never driven the road before.

Emma Meh (3 years ago)
It's as bridgey as a bridge can be- and the river is beautiful - great paddle spot in the summer!

Crystal Leader (3 years ago)
This is a most beautiful ancient bridge. It stands handsomely over river Usk.

Shirley Bird (3 years ago)
Pretty bridge over river Usk. Lovely path from here almost all the way back to the Glanusk Estate. But its not for the faint hearted or the clumsy, especially in the wet.

Paul Watts (4 years ago)
One of several beautiful bridges across the Usk. Avoid this if you are driving a wide vehicle and instead use the bridge at Crickhowell or Talybont.

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Llangynidr Bridge

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