Eden Bridge

Eden Bridge is a road bridge of 1812-15, constructed for the County of Cumberland by Robert Smirke. It was later widened in 1932 by Percy Dalton, City Engineer. The bridge is built of reeded calciferous sandstone ashlar and spans the River Eden with five segmental arches of double width, supported by rounded piers with flush voussoirs. A string course runs along the top, and a solid parapet encloses the bridge. The bridge runs north to south.

Projecting abutments are found at either side on the south and the north-west. However, the north-east abutment has been altered to incorporate steps for access to Rickerby Park; recesses in the parapet above this abutment feature a stone seat and flanking rectangular cast-iron gas lamp brackets, now fitted with 20th-century electric light globes. A pedestrian tunnel, lined with white glazed bricks, was cut through the south side of the bridge in 1902, with external stone steps added on the south-west side for access. A ramp provides access on the opposite side. Visible beneath the arches is the stonework of an extension on the east side, faced with new stone that matches the west side. Flood dates and levels are carved into the south-west abutment, including visible markings for December 13th 1852 and 1857.

Bronze plaques are fixed to the parapet, detailing the bridge's history and its widening. Remains of a 16th-century bridge and its associated piling, uncovered during dredging in 1951, lie beneath the arches in the riverbed. The southern channel of the River Eden was originally left dry and subsequently filled. The southern bridge was demolished between 1969 and 1970 to facilitate the construction of an inner ring road. The bridge is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.