Hanging Bridge

The first reference to a bridge at this location, called Hengand Brigge, was in 1343. The present structure was built in 1421, possibly incorporating parts of the previous bridge, using sandstone from Collyhurst. The bridge has two four-centred arches, and is 108 ft long and 9 ft wide. The bridge linked the parish church (Now Manchester Cathedral) with the medieval city centre. It previously led directly into the churchyard, and in 1554 the court leet appointed guards to prevent people using it as a shortcut for driving livestock. Hanging Ditch was also used as a rubbish dump; archaeologists discovered leather, wood, bone, metalwork and pottery in the channel dating from between the 13th…

Today the bridge structure is still largely hidden by buildings built on either side of the bridge, though the passageway over the arches is still in use and retains the name "Hanging Bridge". The two exposed arches of the bridge are part of the basement of Manchester Cathedral Visitor Centre and the monument was open to the public for free. The room containing the bridge was used by a theological bookshop from 2011 to 2018. The space closed to the public in 2018 for renovation. As of February 2024, it is not openly accessible to visitors. From the outside it is possible to see part of one arch via a sunken garden. The bridge is listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.