Skeldergate Bridge is the third of the modern bridges to be built across the River Ouse. The foundation stone was laid in 1878. The bridge opened first to pedestrians on the 1st January 1881 and general traffic two months later.
Skeldergate Bridge is an iron bridge with Gothic details. The parapet is decorated with ornate ironwork featuring trefoils, six-pointed stars and the white rose of York. The original design of the bridge was altered during planning to enable the north-easternmost span of the bridge to open, allowing tall ships to reach the busy quaysides further upstream. The bridge was last opened in 1975 and the winding mechanism has since been removed.
Skeldergate Bridge was originally built as a toll bridge. The toll-house, which also housed the winding machinery, still remains. The bridge was formally declared toll-free on 1 April 1914, an event which was greeted so enthusiastically by the citizens of York that a regatta was held to celebrate the occasion.
@thresheg@bobhuegel@gamelee@ididntdoit87@gillg@pyrrhula@dolphin@bruni@clmiller Thank you for your comments. The bridges are very important in York, as we find out when one is closed for repairs, and we have to trek to the next one! They are all attractive in their own way but this one is one of my favourites. It is close to Clifford's Tower and the Castle Museum as well as the Law Courts. Katharine
@padlock Hi padlock, there is so much to see here and I am re-discovering some parts of the city. It takes me back to when I first came here as a student! I hope you enjoy our tour and maybe discover York for yourself at some stage. Katharine
@pixiemac Hi Sarah, I hope you enjoy your stay when you come. The cafe in the winding house is good and if you fancy a burger from a van there is one close by! Katharine
Thank you also for you visits and nice comments