{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}} {{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox bridge | name = Prebends Bridge | image = Prebends Bridge, Durham in Winter, December 2012.jpg | image_upright = | alt = | caption = Prebends Bridge from upstream | coordinates = {{coord|54.7709|-1.5794|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline}} | os_grid_reference = NZ271418 | carries = Pedestrians | crosses = River Wear | locale = County Durham | named_for = | owner = Durham Cathedral | maint = | heritage = Grade I listed | id = | id_type = | website = | preceded = Kingsgate Bridge | followed = Framwellgate Bridge | design = Semi-circular arch bridge | material = Stone | length = | width = | height = | depth = | traversable = | towpath = | mainspan = | number_spans = 3 | piers_in_water = | load = | clearance_above = | clearance_below = | lanes = | life = | architect = | designer = George Nicholson | contracted_designer = | engineering = | builder = | begin = 1772 | complete = 1778 | cost = | open = <!-- or | opening = --> | inaugurated = | rebuilt = | replaces = | extra = <!-- extra = module = embed = --> }}
'''Prebends Bridge''', along with Framwellgate and Elvet bridges, is one of three stone-arch bridges in the centre of Durham, England, that cross the River Wear. The bridge forms part of the Durham Castle and Cathedral UNESCO World Heritage Site.
==History== Prebends Bridge was designed by George Nicholson<ref>{{Structurae|id=20003229|title=Prebends Bridge}}</ref> and built from 1772 to 1778. The bridge was built on the instructions of the Dean of Durham and served as a private road for the Dean and Chapter of Durham, giving access from the south through the Watergate.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/topdrawings/d/005add000015538u00127000.html|title=Durham, Prebends Bridge|last=Wright|first=Colin|website=www.bl.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-12-25}}</ref> It replaced a temporary bridge built after the footbridge, built in 1574, was swept away during a flood in 1771.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=42606 |title=The city of Durham - Rivers, bridges and mills | A History of the County of Durham: Volume 3 (pp. 62-64) |publisher=British-history.ac.uk |date=22 June 2003 |accessdate=26 February 2013}}</ref>
The bridge is situated below the Watergate at the end of South Bailey (with which it is in concurrence), just after St Cuthbert's Society. Although the bridge is wide enough for vehicles, it is mainly used as a footbridge as it only leads to the Riverside paths and up to a closed road barrier to South Bailey. The bridge was restored from 1955 to 1956. In autumn 2010 the bridge was temporarily reopened to road traffic under 3 tonnes while Saddler Street was closed because of extensive repaving works as part of the Heart of the City project, sponsored by Durham City Vision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.durhamcityvision.com/projects/item/heart-of-the-city |title=Durhamcityvision.com |publisher=Durhamcityvision.com |date= |accessdate=26 February 2013}}</ref> The current bridge affords an excellent view of the cathedral and was built specifically with aesthetic considerations in mind - it was built slightly north of the prior bridge, at a wider part of the river, to improve the views available.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.durhamworldheritagesite.com/architecture/historic-bridges|title=Historic Bridges - Durham World Heritage Site|website=www.durhamworldheritagesite.com|language=en|access-date=2017-12-25}}</ref> Trees were planted along the riverbank to complete the Romantic picture.<ref name=":0" />
Part of the estate of Durham Cathedral, the bridge is a Grade I listed building and is included in the Durham Castle and Cathedral UNESCO World Heritage Site.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.durhamworldheritagesite.com/learn/architecture|title=Architecture|publisher=Durham World Heritage Site|website=www.durhamworldheritagesite.com|access-date=23 June 2025}}</ref>
==Plaque== Prebends Bridge has a plaque to display Sir Walter Scott's words about Durham:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cycle-routes.org/threerivers/3r_bridges/wear_bridges2.html |title=Three Rivers Cycleway - Bridges - River Wear |publisher=Cycle-routes.org |date= |accessdate=26 February 2013}}</ref> {{quote box|width=25em|bgcolor=c6dbf7|align=center|quote= '''Grey towers of Durham''',<br />Yet well I love thy mixed and massive piles<br />Half church of God, half castle ‘gainst the Scot<br />And long to roam these venerable aisles<br />With records stored of deeds long since forgot|source=–Extract from ''Harold the Dauntless'', by Scott, published anonymously in 1817<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://co-curate.ncl.ac.uk/resources/view/101654/|title=Sir Walter Scott in Durham|publisher=Newcastle University|access-date=23 June 2025}}</ref>}}
==Gallery== <gallery> File:Scott inscription (Prebends Bridge).jpg|Inscription of Scott's words File:Durham School Boat Club - boat house summer.jpg|alt=A picture of Durham School Boat Club's boat house in summer, taken from Prebends Bridge|Durham School Boat Club's boat house as seen from the bridge File:Prebends and weir.JPG|From downstream File:Prebends bridge layby 2013 January.jpg|View from the north, note the lay-by (originally used as a meeting place for wide vehicular traffic) on the left. File:Prebends Bridge crossing 2013 January.jpg|A pedestrian crosses Prebends Bridge in winter File:Prebends Cathedral View.jpg|View of the Cathedral Towers from the western side of the bridge File:Prebends south view.jpg|View from the bridge facing during summertime </gallery> {{River item box |River = River Wear |upstream = Kingsgate Bridge |downstream = Framwellgate Bridge |type = bridge |thisis = |upsub = |downsub = |location = }}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == *[http://www.durhamtourism.co.uk/att_bridge.html Durham City Tourism]
54.771, -1.5793
Category:Bridges across the River Wear Category:Bridges completed in 1778 Category:Bridges in County Durham Category:Buildings and structures in Durham, England Category:Grade I listed bridges in England Durham, Prebends