The famous Menai Straits Bridge and road crossing to Anglesey was built by Thomas Telford, whose 250th anniversary was recently celebrated by the island. It is difficult to estimate the huge task facing Telford and his engineers as they planned what was a bold feat of engineering and a novel construction for its day, across what is a very tidal stretch of water. This is a must-see attraction and you can also walk along the Anglesey Coastal path below.
A step back in time suggests that Menai Bridge may have been a small Roman settlement and at this point of the Menai Straits there was a ferry crossing, as it is where the island and mainland are nearest. Further north monks, visiting the Augustinian Priory at Penmon a few centuries ago, would cross the Lavan sands north west of Bangor at low tide, and made for the shore at Llanfaes, north of Beaumaris.
How did Telford come to be commissioned to build this magnificent Menai Straits Bridge, what is an clearly an innovative example of nineteenth century bridge building? Greater pressure was placed for a closer link between Ireland and Britain after the Act of Union in 1800, and so the bridge to Anglesey was important for connection to Holyhead.
When you think how the famous composer George Frederick Handel struggled to reach Dublin from Holyhead in 1742, it shows you how difficult it was travelling between England and Ireland. After getting through the challenging Snowdon Mountain range, there was still the Menai Straits crossing and then the voyage to Dublin itself.
There was already a ship to Ireland from the Port of Holyhead, and so a bridge crossing to Anglesey island was the last piece in the jigsaw. After much pressure in political circles construction work started on the bridge in 1819. Limestone from nearby Penmon quarry on Anglesey was used to construct the two huge towers that are still a key feature of the bridge today. Originally sixteen wrought iron chain cables supported the bridge across the 175 metre expanse, but these were replaced by steel cables in 1939.
When you consider that a coach journey from London to Holyhead took around 36 hours before 1826, it shows how travel has been transformed since before the bridge was built. Following completion of the Menai Suspension Bridge the journey time was reduced to 27 hours. While a journey by car today from London to Holyhead can take around 6 to 7 hours, showing the benefits of Telford's Menai Straits Bridge, the internal combustion engine and modern motorways.
When you come to Anglesey, you will find there are some great coastal and wooded walks close by on both sides of this bridge, which are signposted and accessed easily. And from the bridge as you look northwards, you see Menai Bridge harbour below with small yachts and the Bangor University ocean research ship moored nearby in the tidal waters. Yachts can pass under the bridge even at high water, as they sail up towards Beaumaris and Puffin Island.
As you stand on the bridge looking south west, see how the strong Menai Straits currents flow towards the dual rail and road Britannia Bridge and on past Caernarfon Castle to the open sea. Off the Anglesey Coastline to the south is a small island, Ynys Gorad Goch, while on the shoreline a Statue of Admiral Nelson stands, and nearby is the former Indefatigable Sailing School. You can indulge your senses in all these experiences from the high vantage point of this enigmatic Menai Straits Bridge.
A step back in time suggests that Menai Bridge may have been a small Roman settlement and at this point of the Menai Straits there was a ferry crossing, as it is where the island and mainland are nearest. Further north monks, visiting the Augustinian Priory at Penmon a few centuries ago, would cross the Lavan sands north west of Bangor at low tide, and made for the shore at Llanfaes, north of Beaumaris.
How did Telford come to be commissioned to build this magnificent Menai Straits Bridge, what is an clearly an innovative example of nineteenth century bridge building? Greater pressure was placed for a closer link between Ireland and Britain after the Act of Union in 1800, and so the bridge to Anglesey was important for connection to Holyhead.
When you think how the famous composer George Frederick Handel struggled to reach Dublin from Holyhead in 1742, it shows you how difficult it was travelling between England and Ireland. After getting through the challenging Snowdon Mountain range, there was still the Menai Straits crossing and then the voyage to Dublin itself.
There was already a ship to Ireland from the Port of Holyhead, and so a bridge crossing to Anglesey island was the last piece in the jigsaw. After much pressure in political circles construction work started on the bridge in 1819. Limestone from nearby Penmon quarry on Anglesey was used to construct the two huge towers that are still a key feature of the bridge today. Originally sixteen wrought iron chain cables supported the bridge across the 175 metre expanse, but these were replaced by steel cables in 1939.
When you consider that a coach journey from London to Holyhead took around 36 hours before 1826, it shows how travel has been transformed since before the bridge was built. Following completion of the Menai Suspension Bridge the journey time was reduced to 27 hours. While a journey by car today from London to Holyhead can take around 6 to 7 hours, showing the benefits of Telford's Menai Straits Bridge, the internal combustion engine and modern motorways.
When you come to Anglesey, you will find there are some great coastal and wooded walks close by on both sides of this bridge, which are signposted and accessed easily. And from the bridge as you look northwards, you see Menai Bridge harbour below with small yachts and the Bangor University ocean research ship moored nearby in the tidal waters. Yachts can pass under the bridge even at high water, as they sail up towards Beaumaris and Puffin Island.
As you stand on the bridge looking south west, see how the strong Menai Straits currents flow towards the dual rail and road Britannia Bridge and on past Caernarfon Castle to the open sea. Off the Anglesey Coastline to the south is a small island, Ynys Gorad Goch, while on the shoreline a Statue of Admiral Nelson stands, and nearby is the former Indefatigable Sailing School. You can indulge your senses in all these experiences from the high vantage point of this enigmatic Menai Straits Bridge.
About the Author:
The author, David Phillips, writes from beautiful Anglesey, North Wales, and owns a helpful website focusing on local news and articles about the island. Find out more about Menai Straits Bridge, a remarkable attraction and example of 19th century civil engineering achievement.
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