Magdalen Bridge

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Magdalen Bridge spans the divided stream of the River Cherwell just to the east of the City of Oxford, and next to Magdalen College, whence it gets its name and pronunciation. It connects the High Street to the west with The Plain, now a roundabout, to the east. It is located at 51.751° N 1.246° W

The present stone bridge was designed by John Gwynn of Shrewsbury and built in 1772–1782. It was widened in 1882. According to Pevsner, the bridge has "good sturdy balusters", although these have been replaced over the years because of degradation due to pollution.

The bridge is the scene of large crowds every 1 May early in the morning for the traditional May Morning celebrations in Oxford. There has been a recent tradition of students to jump off the bridge, although there have been injuries during some years since the water level in the Cherwell can drop considerably in dry periods.

As well as Magdalen College and its tower, also close by are the Oxford Botanic Garden and Magdalen College School. It is possible to hire punts from a boathouse at the base of the bridge.

[edit] References

• Sherwood, Jennifer and Pevsner, Sir Nikolaus B.L. (1974) The Buildings of England: Oxfordshire, Penguin Books, p.311, ISBN 0-14-071045-0.

[edit] External links

• Magdalen Bridge, Oxford
• Magdalen Bridge Boathouse
• Restrictions on Magdalen Bridge by Tom Pinnock, The Oxford Student, 2004