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Godmanchester Chinese Bridge

1827 establishments in EnglandBridges across the River Great OuseBridges completed in 1827Bridges completed in 1960Bridges in Cambridgeshire
GodmanchesterPedestrian bridges in EnglandUnited Kingdom bridge (structure) stubsUse British English from March 2017
Godmanchester Chinese Bridge
Godmanchester Chinese Bridge

Godmanchester Chinese Bridge is a Grade II Listed building and landmark of the town of Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire (now administered as part of Cambridgeshire, England). It is a pedestrian bridge that spans a mill stream on the River Great Ouse and is, as the name suggests, built in an ostensibly Chinese style. The original was constructed in 1827 to designs by the architect James Gallier, but the wooden span fell into a bad condition and was replaced with a replica by the local council in 1960.The origins of the bridge are somewhat unusual. "Chinese Chippendale" had been a fashion of the mid-18th century, a time when the town was building a mansion for the Receiver General of Huntingdonshire by the river. Island Hall had included a rather smaller Chinese bridge, linking it to an ornamental island. It seems likely that this served as the inspiration for the public bridge several decades later – its white timbers are also in the Chinese Chippendale style. The wooden span of the bridge was removed by crane on Tuesday 9 February 2010. A replica, built in Yorkshire by CTS Bridges, was put into position on Monday 15th and Tuesday 16 February.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Godmanchester Chinese Bridge (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Godmanchester Chinese Bridge
The Chinese Bridge, Huntingdonshire Godmanchester

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Latitude Longitude
N 52.31926 ° E -0.17582 °
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Godmanchester Town Hall

The Chinese Bridge 1
PE29 2NB Huntingdonshire, Godmanchester
England, United Kingdom
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Godmanchester Chinese Bridge
Godmanchester Chinese Bridge
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Huntingdon Castle
Huntingdon Castle

Huntingdon Castle was situated in the town of Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire (grid reference TL240714). In 1068 a Norman motte and bailey castle was built for William the Conqueror. During the Anarchy the castle was held by David, King of Scotland through his marriage to Maud, 2nd Countess of Huntingdon. He supported Empress Matilda in a battle of succession and the castle was much damaged at this time. However, when the succession was settled, David's son Henry paid homage to King Stephen who in turn gave him the borough of Huntingdon in addition to the castle. By 1173 the castle was still held by the kings of Scotland, at that time by William the Lion. He had sided with Henry, the rebel son of Henry II, during the Revolt of 1173–1174, and the castle was besieged by Richard de Luci. The siege was taken over by Simon de St. Lis but it did not end until Henry II (who had just performed penance at the tomb of Thomas Becket) arrived at Huntingdon. The siege ended the following day and Henry then ordered that the castle be dismantled (slighted). The Pipe Rolls recorded that 7s 8d was spent on dismantling the palisade. According to historian Sidney Painter, it was one of at least 21 castles demolished on Henry II's instructions.Parts of the castle did remain, including the chapel, and its ownership passed through a number of hands. The castle was refortified during the Civil War. For a time it served as the county gaol, and later a windmill stood on the castle mound. Nothing now remains of the castle itself apart from its earthworks, although the site is a scheduled ancient monument.