High Bridge

High Bridge is a road bridge in Lincoln that carries shops and houses. It dates back to the 12th century, with additions from the 13th and 16th centuries. The bridge was restored and partly reconstructed in 1902 by William Watkins of Lincoln.

The bridge features an ashlar semicircular arch with chamfered transverse ribs and a single bay with diagonal ribs. The west end has imposts and small chamfered slits in the spandrels, while the east end has a renewed chamfered opening with a pierced balustrade and coped piers.

At the west end, there is a range of shops and houses from the 16th century, which has been carefully and thoroughly reconstructed. The timber-framed structure has a partly roughcast west side, with dressed stone and brick underbuild, topped by a plain tile roof. Much of the original close studded framing remains, along with renewed rendered nogging and original angle brackets shaped like angels. The building stands three storeys plus attics, features two jetties, and has six bays.

The east front includes a glazing bar shop window and door on the left, and on the right, two doors flanked by single plain windows, all with Tudor arched heads. Above these, there are two floors, each with six 3-light leaded casements that project like oriels. The upper section has three gabled dormers with 2-light casements.

The rear of the building has a renewed two-storey underbuild to the left, and above the bridge, there is a 6-light hooded window flanked by small single-light windows. Above this, two windows are flanked by single plain oriels, with a larger window to the left. The upper section features exposed timber framing with five windows, and the attics have three dormers similar to those at the front.

The interior retains much of the original structure, with renewed nogging and joinery that matches the original style. This building is notable as the only surviving example in England of a medieval bridge that carries shops and houses. It is also designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.