Middleham Bridge

{{Short description|Bridge in North Yorkshire, England}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}

{{Use British English|date=June 2025}}

File:Middleham Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 6373091.jpg

Middleham Bridge is a historic structure connecting Middleham and Leyburn in North Yorkshire, in England.

The bridge, across the River Ure, was constructed in 1830, to a design by Joseph Hansom and Edward Welch. It was originally a suspension bridge, but was soon damaged by cattle crossing in step. It was repaired and a toll was introduced to pay for its upkeep. In 1865 it was converted into a girder bridge, the work conducted by Head, Ashby and Co. The bridge was grade II listed in 1985. It carries what is now the A6108 road.{{NHLE |num=1130935|desc=Middleham Bridge, Middleham|access-date=15 June 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Pritchard |first1=Jonathan |title=Essential maintenance work to be carried out on historic bridge with links to Richard III in North Yorkshire |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/essential-maintenance-work-to-be-carried-out-on-historic-bridge-in-yorkshire-3289780 |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=Yorkshire Post |date=29 June 2021}}{{cite book |last1=Headley |first1=Gwyn |title=Follies of North & East Yorkshire |date=2011 |publisher=Heritage |isbn=9781908619242}}

At each end of the bridge is a pair of stone pylons with a rectangular plan, buttresses, and embattled parapets on corbels. They are joined by a four-centred arch carrying a stone wall, each with shield and panels, some with inscriptions. The bridge deck is in cast and wrought iron, on two cast iron columns into the river bed, with wrought iron parapets and inscribed panels.{{cite book |last1=Grenville |first1=Jane |last2=Pevsner |first2=Nikolaus |author2-link=Nikolaus Pevsner |series=The Buildings of England |title=Yorkshire: The North Riding |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2023 |orig-year=1966 |location=New Haven and London |isbn=978-0-300-25903-2}}