The historic Iron Bridge within the grounds at Cragside estate was opened earlier this year, the first time in nearly 30 years.  The 19th century foot bridge spans the Debdon Burn and had been closed due to safety concerns.  The grade II listed bridge has undergone 9 months of renovation.  It is now possible for visitors to walk across the bridge, providing magnificent views of the house and rock garden along with views of the Debdon valley with its waterfalls.

The bridge was manufactured in the Elswick Works and transported in bits to Cragside where it was constructed in situ. The bridge was designed by the owner of the estate, Lord Armstrong, who wished to provide walking access from the house to the formal gardens.

Glimpse of Cragside

The Nuts and Bolts

From the Rock Garden

Now visitors can walk on the bridge it has become quite difficult to get photos of it, without hoards of people in the way ;-)

11 Comments CherryPie on Oct 5th 2009

11 Responses to “The Iron Bridge at Cragside”

  1. Excellent photos. I really wish I was there now.. well not right now but you know what I mean!

  2. Bernard says:

    A beautiful location and a beautiful bridge…but
    spoilt by putting wire-netting along the sides. Yuk!

    • CherryPie says:

      I can’t tell from the old photos if it was there or not. I found it wasn’t too noticeable from a distance, but very obvious when you were standing on the bridge.

  3. I actually like the Iron mesh Bernard…not because it has any aesthetic beauty…it doesn’t but it says “Nature contained and viewed by man from hi lofty heights above nature…..and it stops you falling over the edge :)

  4. oops that should read “Nature contained and viewed by man from HIS lofty heights above nature…..and it stops you falling over the edge :)

  5. CherryPie says:

    That is a different way of looking at it :-) You wouldn’t have caught me walking on it at all if the net hadn’t been there. Far to high up for me without that safety feature.

  6. Bernard says:

    Well, you may be right, but each to his own view. I like the side rail to stop you falling off, but adding the wire mesh reminds me of one of those bridges over motorways that the farmers herd their sheep over.

  7. CherryPie says:

    I know what you mean, it did have the look of that when you were up close. I can’t seem to find a decent old photo to see if it was originally like that or if it has been added as a safety feature.

  8. Phidelm says:

    Fascinating post, Cherie. It’s an amazing building, isn’t it?

  9. CherryPie says:

    It is and quite a fascinating collection inside too.