Whether it's a modern pedestrian walkway or historic viaduct, the UK is filled with some truly incredible bridges. Spanning everything from iconic monuments to cutting-edge feats of engineering and technology, here we take a look at the nation’s most spectacular bridges.

One of Bristol’s most recognisable structures, the Clifton Suspension Bridge was designed by famous architect Isambard Kingdom Brunel in the early 19th century. Originally built for horse-drawn traffic, the bridge took a whopping 33 years to construct. Today, thousands of vehicles cross the bridge every day and with its stunning location overlooking the Avon Gorge, it’s hailed for its breathtaking scenery.

Striking, modern and certainly unique, the Infinity Bridge in Stockton-on-Tees links the Teesdale Business Park to the University of Durham’s Queen's Campus. Opening in 2009, the pedestrian and cycle bridge is the newest addition to the River Tees and was named for its curved shapes, resembling an infinity symbol at certain angles. The futuristic bridge is especially spectacular at night when it's illuminated by blue and white LED lights mirrored in the inky waters below.

One of London’s most famous views is of Westminster Bridge with the Palace of Westminster in the background. Connecting Westminster on the west bank to Lambeth on the east, it was built in the mid-19th century to replace the original bridge that was too expensive to maintain. With its gorgeous Gothic design, octagonal lanterns and blissful views, we can see why Westminster Bridge is one of London’s most photographed spots. 

Built almost 200 years ago, the Bridge of Sighs in Cambridge was named after Venice’s famous Ponte dei Sospiri bridge. Known as the only covered bridge to cross the River Cam and the only one designed in a Victorian Gothic style, it was built to connect St John’s College’s Third Court and New Court at Cambridge University. The pretty bridge has become one of the city’s main tourist attractions. 

The world’s first iron bridge can be found crossing the River Severn in Telford, Shropshire. Built in 1779, the pioneering bridge marked a turning point in English design and is a symbol of the Industrial Revolution, with many structures being built in cast iron that followed. Today, the famous bridge looms over its namesake town and the site was one of the first in the UK to be granted UNESCO World Heritage status.

Bath’s famous Pulteney Bridge overlooking the River Avon is one of the many stunning sights across the city. Built over 200 years ago, the bridge was designed by architect Robert Adam and is one of only four bridges in the world to be lined with rows of shops on both sides. The beautiful bridge was built in a Georgian style and can be found in the heart of the historic city.

Often considered a symbol of Scotland, the Forth Bridge was one of the world’s first major steel structures. Designed by John Fowler and Benjamin Baker, the cantilever bridge has a total length of 8,297 feet (2,529m) and was the longest of its kind when it first opened in 1890 until it was overtaken by Canada’s Québec Bridge in 1917. The eye-catching red-hued structure is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Scotland’s major landmarks.

Famed for being the longest bridge in the world that can be crossed by foot or bike, at 7,217 feet (2,200m) long, Humber Bridge is certainly a magnificent sight. Located near Kingston upon Hull, the record-breaking structure opened in 1981 as a traffic crossing and held the title of the world's longest single-span suspension bridge for 16 years. Now, more than 10 million vehicles use the impressive bridge each year, crossing the Humber Estuary between Hessle, East Yorkshire and Barton upon Humber, North Lincolnshire.

Wrexham’s Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (meaning “the bridge that connects”) in northeast Wales is a historic canal bridge that crosses the River Dee. Designed by civil engineers Thomas Telford and William Jessop in 1805, it was the first great structure built by Telford before he became a household name. Dubbed “the stream in the sky” the spectacular arched bridge and 11 miles of scenic canal are now a UNESCO-listed site, primarily used by narrowboats but can also be crossed on foot.

The picturesque Tarr Steps in Exmoor National Park date back as far as 1000 BC. Known as Britain’s oldest and largest clapper bridge of its kind, it measures 177 feet (54m) long and was formed by arranging huge slabs over stones to create a medieval crossing. After suffering some damage with the slabs flowing downstream, the medieval bridge has been repaired numerous times but remains an iconic attraction. Discover more of the UK’s most stunning national parks here.

First erected by fishermen more than 250 years ago, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is one of Northern Ireland’s most jaw-dropping monuments. Built to connect Carrick Island and the County Antrim mainland, the wooden rope bridge sways 98 feet (30m) above the ocean and measures roughly 66 feet (20m) long. With the rushing winds and the crashing waves beneath, visitors with enough nerve to make the thrilling journey are rewarded with breathtaking views. 

Thought to have been constructed sometime in the late 1200s, the Monnow Bridge on the South Wales border is the last remaining fortified medieval river bridge in Great Britain. Spanning across the River Monnow, the bridge was originally built for defence but over the years it has been used as a toll collection point and even a jail. No longer used for traffic, the incredible bridge is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade I-listed landmark.

One of the world’s only transporter bridges still in operation, the Tees Transporter Bridge has been an important monument of Teesside’s industrial and engineering heritage for over 100 years. Measuring 851 feet (259m) in length, it’s the longest working transport bridge in the world and has been a popular visitor attraction since opening in 1911. As well as its record-breaking size, the bridge was the first in England to be licensed to host bungee jumps, making it popular with thrill-seekers.

Built between 1812 and 1814, this pretty cast iron arch bridge spans the River Spey in Craigellachie and is the oldest surviving cast-iron bridge in Scotland. Designed by Scottish-born engineer Thomas Telford, it features two sets of mock-Medieval turrets, measuring 15 feet (4.6m) high on either side of the river. Closed to traffic in 1972, the 150-foot-long (46m) bridge is now reserved for pedestrians and cyclists.

Often nicknamed the “blinking eye”, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge in Newcastle towers over the River Tyne and is a real highlight of the city. Completed in 2001, the 413-foot-long (126m) bridge is best known for its tilting movement which allows small boats to pass through below. Powered by eight electric motors, it takes just four and a half minutes for the bridge to open and close, with its 164-foot-high (50m) arch resembling an eye blinking.

Completed in the early 20th century, the Glenfinnan Railway Viaduct is one of Scotland’s most recognisable sights. Located in the scenic Scottish Highlands, the famous viaduct has a 1,000 foot (305m) span above the River Finnan. With its enchanting location, it has been featured in numerous films including Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as the iconic Hogwarts Express rode along. Regarded as one of the best railway journeys in the world, a train typically takes passengers across the viaduct into the gorgeous countryside beyond. See more of the world's beautiful train journeys here.

Hidden in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains in Mid Wales and overlooking its spectacular namesake falls is not one but three unusual road bridges built on top of one another. Legend has it that the earliest bridge was built by the Devil for an old woman in exchange for her soul, or the soul of the first person to cross. The old lady outsmarted the Devil by letting her dog cross first. Since the 18th century, the unique bridges and their mystical past have drawn thousands of visitors.

Also famous for its similarity to Venice’s Bridge of Sighs, the Hertford Bridge in Oxford actually bears more of a resemblance to the Rialto Bridge in the same city. Completed in 1914, the stunning Grade II-listed skyway links two parts of Oxford University’s Hertford College and is one of the city’s most photogenic spots.

Dating back to 1717, Carrbridge’s famous packhorse bridge in the Cairngorms National Park is known as the oldest surviving stone bridge in the Scottish Highlands. Known locally as “the coffin bridge” it was built to allow funeral processions to cross the river to the nearby church when its waters flowed too quickly. Today, after a flood in the mid-19th century which washed away much of the structure, only a single span of it remains. The incredible bridge looks best at dusk or dawn when it's illuminated by sunlight. 

One of London’s numerous bridges crossing the River Thames, with its unparalleled views of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Millennium Bridge is certainly one of the most memorable. The pedestrian-only bridge opened in 2000 and was the first new bridge in central London to be built crossing the Thames in over 100 years, connecting St Paul’s Cathedral on the north bank to the Tate Modern in Southwark. Also known as the “wobbly bridge”, its famous tremor has now been fixed but the nickname lives on.

Another beautiful bridge in Newcastle, the Tyne Bridge is probably one the city’s most famous landmarks. Measuring 1,276 feet (389m), it was built by engineers Dorman Long and Co. who went on to build the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and was the world’s longest single-span bridge when it opened in 1928. Since then, the magnificent steel structure has become a symbol of Tyneside’s industrial past and has been featured in numerous TV shows and films. 

The original crossing over the River Severn between England and Wales, this bridge has inspired numerous designs all over the world. Built as a motorway suspension bridge to replace the Aust Ferry, the Severn bridge opened in 1966 and has a central span of 3,240 feet (988m) across the River Severn and River Wye. Standing tall at 445 feet high (136m), its distinctive box design was also used for Hull’s Humber Bridge and the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul.

Completed in 2017, the Queensferry Crossing is the newest addition to Scotland's Forth Bridges. At 1.7 miles long (2.7km) the impressive structure is the longest three-tower cabled-stayed bridge in the world and one of the largest to feature cables that cross mid-span. The impressive structure also features the highest bridge towers in the UK at roughly 689-feet-high (210m) and the longest free-standing balanced cantilever in the world.

Since opening in 2011, Derry’s Peace Bridge has become an architectural masterpiece of Northern Ireland. Hailed for its beautiful design, the bridge’s curves were created as a historic symbol of peace, representing the joining together of two communities on opposite sides of the River Foyle, the Protestant Waterside and Nationalist Bogside. Its statement curves signify a handshake between the two groups. The modern walkway has become a popular backdrop for many of Derry’s festivals and events.

Sat on the banks of the Menai Strait, the Menai Suspension Bridge opened in 1826 and was the world’s first modern suspension bridge. Designed by Thomas Telford, the groundbreaking structure was created as a safer and quicker travel route from London to Holyhead, the first iron suspension bridge of its type in the world. Sixteen huge chains hold up the 579-foot-long (176m) road between the two towers, allowing tall sailing ships to pass underneath. With its picturesque setting, the bridge provides a scenic drive and is nicely lit up at night. 

Nestled right in the centre of Dartmoor in southwest England, this ancient clapper bridge is regarded as one of the finest in the country. The word “clapper” is thought to stem from the Anglo-Saxon word “cleaca” meaning stepping stones. Possibly dating back as early as the 12th century, the bridge was most likely used to help pack horses cross the river.

Located just over the border from Cumbria into North Yorkshire, the Ribblehead Viaduct is a sight to behold. Built in the 1870s, the viaduct features 24 magnificent stone arches and carries the Settle-Carlisle Railway above the gorgeous Yorkshire Dales. Hundreds of railway builders lost their lives during its construction from a combination of fighting, accidents and smallpox and there are a number of memorials along the viaduct commemorating those who died.

Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the Royal Albert Bridge stretches across the River Tamar between Plymouth, Devon and Saltash, Cornwall. Completed in 1859, the bridge was built so that the Cornwall Railway could cross the narrowest point of the river with enough height for sailing ships to pass through. Its unique bowstring suspension design has made it one of the most famous bridges in the world. Brunel died shortly after the bridge was finished but his legacy as a world-renowned civil engineer lives on. 

Located in the medieval town of Conwy, North Wales, Conwy Suspension Bridge was one of the first of its kind in the world. Created by Thomas Telford in 1826, the elegant bridge was built into the rock where Castle Conwy stands and its supporting towers were designed to match the castle’s turrets. Crossing the River Conwy, the Grade-II-listed bridge and toll house can only be accessed on foot, providing a pretty walkway to the castle. 

Known as one of London’s most famous landmarks, Tower Bridge was once a busy crossing for boats on the Thames River. Completed in 1894, it took a staggering eight years and over 11,000 tonnes of steel to build the impressive structure. At the time it was one of the largest and most sophisticated bascule (moveable) bridges ever built. The bold bridge and elegant towers remain one of the capital’s most iconic sites.

Now discover the world’s most beautiful bridges