Godmanchester Chinese Bridge
The origins of the bridge are somewhat unusual. "Chinese Chippendale" had been a fashion of the mid-18th century, a time when the town was building a mansion for the Receiver General of Huntingdonshire by the river. Island Hall had included a rather smaller Chinese bridge, linking it to an ornamental island. It seems likely that this served as the inspiration for the public bridge several decades later – its white timbers are also in the Chinese Chippendale style.
The wooden span of the bridge was removed by crane on Tuesday 9 February 2010. A replica, built in Yorkshire by CTS Bridges, was put into position on Monday 15th and Tuesday 16 February.
In popular culture
The bridge was the principal subject for the song "Godmanchester Chinese Bridge" by The Howl & The Hum
References
- ^ Historic England. "The Chinese Bridge, Godmanchester (1128661)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "The Chinese Bridge". Godmanchester Museum. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
- ^ "The Howl & the Hum – Godmanchester Chinese Bridge". Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ "VIDEOS".
52°19′09″N 0°10′33″W / 52.31926°N 0.17582°W