Conwy Suspension Bridge
The Conwy Suspension Bridge is former road bridge crossing the River Conwy next to the town of Conwy in Wales. It was designed by Thomas Telford as part of his London to Holyhead road to improve access to Dublin. Conwy Suspension Bridge is arguably the third oldest modern suspension road bridge in the world although it is only open to pedestrians and cyclists today. It still stands proudly next to the mighty Conwy Castle and is probably the only suspension bridge that is anchored into the base of a medieval castle.

Key info
Location | Conwy |
County | Conwy County Borough |
Completed | 1826 |
Engineer | Thomas Telford |
Ironmaster | William Hazledine |
Maintained by | National Trust |
Heritage category | Listed Building Grade I |
Visiting guide
Open 24 / 7
Free entry
Paid car park
What can I expect when visiting Conwy Suspension Bridge?
You can visit Conwy Suspension Bridge from either end; however, in this guide, we will start at Conwy town. From Castle Square, head east along the A457 Conway Road. The pavement veers off to the right by the castle through a gate, which leads to the western entrance of the suspension bridge.

The bridge towers were purposely designed to blend in with Conway Castle. This demonstrates the respect that Thomas Telford had for the medieval castle or the town authorities stipulated the bridge was to compliment the castle so as not to spoil the aesthetic of the town. The battlement between the turrets contain machicolations that replicate those found on Conwy Castle. Notice the crenellated wing walls, with conical capstones adorning its cylindrical columns.

Turn around and look up for a view of the suspension chains anchored into the rocky outcrop upon which the mighty castle was constructed. This was probably done due to a lack of room to anchor the chains elsewhere.

Head onto the deck of the suspension bridge. Can you imagine mail coaches whooshing past on their way to Dublin?

Notice the cast iron kerb that was installed to prevent cartwheels and automobile tyres from damaging the iron lattice parapet.

Turn around and admire the perfect alignment of the suspension bridge with the medieval castle in the background. Can you image what people thought when they crossed the bridge for the first time?

Take note of the wrought iron chains that carry the weight of the bridge deck. They were manufactured at Upton Forge by William Hazeldine, an ironmaster based in Shrewsbury. Hazeldine was a pioneer of iron production and a dear friend of Telford. They collaborated on many of Telford’s projects.

Continue along the bridge and head through the eastern tower. Notice the chain anchors burying them deep into the rock below.

Head towards the toll gate. This sunburst design by Telford was used for all the toll gates on the Holyhead Road and has notes of art deco, 100 years before it became popular. The design is unique and probably used by Telford so that travellers would instantly recognise the route.

Next to the gate is the unique toll house. Notice the tolls from the 1890s displayed above the door. The height of the toll board corresponds with the height at which the driver of the coaches would have sat. We have listed the tolls below in detail.

Telford departed from his usual toll house design and opted for a castellated building in keeping with the aesthetics of the bridge and castle. Unfortunately, the house remains boarded up.

If you truly want the best view of the bridge, head into the castle and up to the walls. Here you will see the suspension bridge in the middle, Conwy Railway Bridge to the right, and the modern road bridge to the left representing the three eras of transport. The view of the Conwy River and surrounding landscape is stunning and we highly recommend it.

How long does it take to see Conwy Suspension Bridge?
It will take you about 15 minutes to see Conwy Suspension Bridge. It’s worth extending your visit with a walk along the embankment and exploring the town, its harbour, castle, and walls.
Is Conwy Suspension Bridge suitable for a picnic?
The embankment contains grassy areas and benches for a picnic with superb views overlooking Conwy and the river. The busy road behind you may be undesirable; therefore, you may wish to venture into Conwy for fish and chips by the harbour, be careful of incoming seagulls!
How do I get to Conwy Suspension Bridge?
The closest car park is Vicarage Gardens Pay & Display, which is next to the castle. Conwy railway station is a 5-minute walk and there are bus stops opposite.
History of Conwy Suspension Bridge
A ferry existed before the construction of the bridge, which was reported to be inconvenient and dangerous.
1801 – Following the creation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the communication line between London and Dublin become had a notoriously dangerous reputation, which warranted an investigation into delivering improvements.
1810-11 – Thomas Telford is employed to survey a perfect route for a mail coach road between Holyhead and Shrewsbury and delivers his report to the Lords of the Treasury, which included a proposed bridge by Conwy Castle. A small rocky island near the castle on the west bank did not pose a risk of being washed away by the tide; however, an embankment would be required to carry the approach from the east bank.
1815 – An Act of Parliament was obtained that
duty included arranging, directing, and superintending all practical operations. A board of Parliamentary commissioners was appointed to oversee the surveys, estimates, contracts, payments, and inspection of works. The inspectors were nominated by Telford and approved by the board. Particularly difficult operations were contracted at a price fixed by Telford to a selection of experienced contractors.
1825 – The embankment carrying the eastern approach to the Conwy Suspension Bridge is completed. A casing of rubble stone was sunk at the outward extremity of the base on the seaward side to prevent the velocity of the current from sweeping away sections of the embankment.
1826 – The bridge is completed using the same principles employed on the Menai Suspension Bridge except the main chains were installed via a different process. The strong rope cables used for hoisting at the Menai strait were stretched across, between the tops of the supporting towers, six on each side of the bridge. The ropes were made to bear temporary platforms of planks; upon these, the chain was laid, and united with that portion of it which had been brought up from the fixation in the rock-galleries to the top of the towers. The platforms were then removed, the rope cables were slackened, and the chain lowered to a proper curvature. The castellated towers were created so that the bridge would complement the medieval castle that towers it. Conwy Suspension Bridge opened to traffic on 1st July, the first passengers waved from their carriages and sang ‘God Save the King’ as loud as they could.
John Wilson undertook the masonry of the bridge, William Hazledine made the ironwork, Thomas Rhodes fitted and fixed it and W. A. Provis superintended all the operations. All these brought with them the experience obtained at the Menai bridge [1]. Telford did not even turn up in person during the construction of the bridge due to its smooth execution [2].
1834 – Telford inspects the embankment and bridge. He reports both remained in a very perfect state [1].
1848 – Conwy Tubular Railway Bridge is completed by Robert Stephenson next to the suspension bridge. The railway approaches the bridge using the same embankment constructed by Telford.
1896 – The original deck consisting of fir planks over a light iron framework is replaced. The new deck still exists today [3].
1950 – The bridge was designated a Grade I listed building [4].
1958 – The new road bridge is completed next to Conwy Suspension Bridge, which closes to vehicular traffic [4]. The embankment is widened, and new stone bastions are constructed on the northern face.
1965 – Ownership of the suspension bridge is transferred to the National Trust following a local uproar after the council proposed demolition. The trust received £38,368 from the accumulated bridge fund of £66,500 for repair and endowment [5]. An appeal is launched by the trust later in the year to raise an additional £6,500 to reach the £45,000 required to repair the bridge [6].
1976 – The bridge is repainted for the 150th anniversary. It cost £6,600, which was raised through the job creation programme to help youngsters start a career in decorating. The overall project applied seven coats of paint to the bridge [7].
Tolls
A sign above the toll house details the tolls from the 1890s, which are as follows:
Toll | £ | s | d |
---|---|---|---|
For every person passing on foot | 0 | 0 | 1 |
For every person passing with a Truck or Wheelbarrow, Bicycle or such like carriage | 0 | 0 | 2 |
For every Horse, Mule or ass laden or unladen and not drawing | 0 | 0 | 2 |
For every Horse or Beast of draught drawing any Coach, Chariot, Brougham, Clarence, Sociable, Berlin, Calash, Landau, Tandem, Phaeton, Gig, Curricle, Barouche, Whiskey, Buggy or other Carriage | 0 | 0 | 6 |
For every Horse or Beast of draught drawing any Wagon, Timber Carriage, Wain Cart, Van or Caravan Drag, Truck or other like vehicle | 0 | 0 | 4 |
For every Engine, Carriage or other Vehicle propelled or moved by steam or machinery or otherwise than by animal power for each wheel thereof PROVIDED that the Lessors shall be at liberty to refuse the passage over the bridge of any such Engine, Carriage or other vehicle if they consider that the structure of the Bridge would be thereby endangered. PROVIDED ALWAYS that no Engine, Carriage or Wagon or other Vehicle weighing when loaded or unloaded more than Ten Tons shall be allowed to pass over the Bridge. | 0 | 1 | 6 |
For every score of Oxen, Cows or meat Cattle | 0 | 0 | 6 |
For ever score of Calves, Sheep, Lambs or Pigs And so in proportion for any greater or less number, but in all cases where there shall be fractional part of a half penny in the amount of any tolls the sum of a half-penny shall be demanded and taken in lieu of such fractional part. PROVIDED ALWAYS that tools shall only be payable once on the same day in the case of foot passengers, carriages and carts may pass and re-pass the Bridge more than once upon the same day. | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Architecture and dimensions
No. of chains | 8 | |
No. of chain bars | 5 | |
No. of carriageways | 1 | |
Distance between points of suspension | 327 ft | 100 m |
Depression or versed sine of curvature of the main chains | 22.5 ft | 6.9 m |
Roadway breadth | 17.5 ft | 5.3 m |
Roadway height above high-water | 15 ft | 4.6 m |
Carriageway arch length | 10 ft | 3 m |
The towers are castellated, each is composed of a pair of round turrets, with blind loops, spanning a segmental arch, and false machicolations to an embattled parapet. The outer faces have rebuilt gas lamps above the arches.
The deck is suspended from 4 tiers of original chains, with a 5th upper tier added later. On the east side these are anchored to a freestone and concrete plinth. On the west side they are anchored to the base of the castle and bedrock. The deck is laid with tarmac and has a painted balustrade of diamond-lattice ironwork [8].
How big is the Conway Embankment?
The embankment that carries the eastern approach to Conway Suspension Bridge is 666 yd (0.6 km) in length, the breadth at the top is 30 ft (27.4 m), its greatest height is 54 ft (49.5 m) [1].
Sources
- Telford, T. (1838) in Rickman, J. (ed.) Life of Thomas Telford, Civil Engineer, Written by Himself. London: James and Luke G. Hansard and Sons.
- Burton, A. (2015) Thomas Telford Master Builder of Roads and Canals. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Transport.
- Cragg, R. (1997) Civil Engineering Heritage Wales and West Central England. London: Thomas Telford Publishing.
- (1958) ‘Opening of The New Conway Bridge’, North Wales Weekly News, 18 December, p. 9.
- (1965) ‘Conway Bridge Saved’, Birmingham Daily Post, 27 March, p. 5.
- (1965) ‘£6,500 Appeal to Save Conway Bridge’, Cheshire Observer, 5 November, p. 14.
- (1976) ‘Telford’s bridge is to be painted’, North Wales Weekly News, 1 July, p. 4.
- Cadw (2021) Full Report for Listed Buildings. Available at: https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=&id=3234 (Accessed: 4 September 2021).