English Bridge at Sj 496 123

The English Bridge, located over the River Severn in Shrewsbury, was originally designed by John Gwynn and completed in 1769, with a rebuild in 1926. This bridge features a seven-arch span constructed from ashlar stone. It includes pilasters and cutwaters positioned between the arches, with rusticated voussoirs forming shallow segmental arches, and stressed keystones adorned with shell motifs. The central arch is highlighted by dolphins carved on the cutwaters and a head of Neptune on the keystone. The bridge has a balustraded parapet with solid panels above each pilaster, which support ball finials, and above the centers of the arches, there are cast-iron lamp standards. The central panel of the parapet features a pediment that displays the date of construction and the Salop arms on the outer face, while the inner face is inscribed with details of the construction and reconstruction. A curved flight of steps on the north-west side leads from the road down to river level.