The Lion Bridge Over River Aln

The Lion Bridge over the River Aln was built in 1773 by John Adam. It is constructed from squared stone and features an ashlar parapet, with a lead lion that has a cast-iron tail. The bridge is designed in the Gothick style.

On the east elevation, there is a central segmental arch flanked by round arches, with moulded arch rings and blank shields in circular spandrel panels. Stone drain spouts are positioned above the arches. The cutwaters are pointed on the west side and rounded on the east, rising as rounded pilasters with blind slits beneath hoodmoulds and smaller slits above a moulded string. The embattled parapet rests on moulded corbels, and the refuges feature a taller parapet on an arched corbel table, complete with cruciform loops and flat moulded coping.

Above the central arch, there is a moulded pedestal adorned with three blank shields and festoons, supporting a life-size lion with an outstretched tail. The parapet on the east side has a plain pedestal without a statue. The south abutment includes a round-arched carriageway, with the abutments splayed out and parapets designed to resemble a fence, featuring adjacent diagonally-set posts and a rail below pointed tops. The circular end piers have moulded flat caps.

The bridge is partly located in Alnwick Urban District and holds considerable group value with Alnwick Castle. It is also designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.