Pulteney Bridge

Pulteney Bridge is an absolute gem in the heart of Bath. The architecture is stunning, and it’s one of the few bridges in the world with shops running along both sides – truly a sight to behold. Walking across the bridge offers lovely views of the River Avon, and the surrounding streets are full of charm, cafés, and boutique shops. It’s a perfect spot for photography and soaking up the historic atmosphere of the city. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in Bath!

Beautiful bridge in the heart of Bath, but at a first glance you may not know it is there. The bridge itself has shops along the sides so unless you go in one, you can only hear the sounds of the water and not see it. The real beauty is when walking along the river Avon, and coming across this. Luckily for me the sun was out when I visited so spent 15 minutes on a bench nearby admiring the sight.

One of the most beautiful spots in Bath. Pulteney Bridge is stunning, with its historic architecture and views over the River Avon. The flowing water, old stone buildings, and nearby cafes create a very calm and picturesque atmosphere. Perfect for photos, a relaxed walk, or just standing and taking in the charm of the city. A must-see landmark when visiting Bath.

Pulteney Bridge is Bath's main landmark. Bath is a spa town - baths were established here back in the Roman era, as the city sits in the crater of a dormant volcano (well, perhaps not entirely dormant, it seems). Yet when it comes to Bath's most photographed sights, the bridge confidently rivals the baths. The bridge was built in the 18th century and was originally conceived as a shopping bridge - shops line both sides of it. The design took inspiration from Florence's Ponte Vecchio, where you can both cross the river and buy souvenirs. Pulteney Bridge has been built, rebuilt, and expanded with additional shops; it later suffered damage from a flood… and now stands in the city centre, drawing everyone's attention. It is worth taking a look at the water rapids - they’re another one of Bath's «calling cards». If you visit the city, you won't miss the bridge. Next to it is the upscale‑looking Empire Hotel (currently under renovation and half‑covered with scaffolding), and a little further away stands Bath Cathedral - or rather, not just a cathedral but an abbey, a large beautiful Gothic building.

A unique bridge into Bath with shops and cafes right on it! The walk across the bridge is very pleasant, especially the beautiful views of the River Avon and the old buildings of the city. A great place for photos, a leisurely stroll and a quick stop at a cafe. The history and atmosphere is impressive!

Beautiful historic bridge with lovely views of the river and weir. Great spot for photos and a peaceful walk and a must-see in Bath! Beautiful city full of history and charm. Stunning architecture, relaxing Roman Baths, and lovely riverside walks. Bath is always a joy to explore!

Absolutely stunning! We had a wonderful meal at a restaurant along Pulteney Bridge, which was such a charming spot with plenty of great eateries to choose from. The whole city felt so clean, welcoming, and full of character. The Georgian architecture is breathtaking, the streets are steeped in history, and everywhere you turn there’s something beautiful to see. From the iconic Roman Baths to the sweeping views around the city, Bath truly captured my heart. I completely fell in love with this city and can’t wait to come back and explore even more!

A wonderful roman style bridge startling the river below! No cost associated with visiting and looks wonderful on both sides! Personally I suggest visiting the rear side as it's much quieter, are plenty of nice spots to take photos, and feels totally different from the chaos of the front!

Bath's iconic architecture is one of the many reasons why the city is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, from its Roman origins to the fashionable eighteenth-century designs that form many of the city's most recognizable buildings. The guide informed us that the historic bridge is one of only four bridges in the world to have shops across its full span on both sides. (he meant Inhabited Bridges where shops/houses are built on the bridge) 1. Ponte Vecchio, Florence 2. Krämerbrücke, Germany 3. Pulteney Bridge, UK 4. Ponte di Rialto (Venice) I had been to #1,3,4 now. Pulteney Bridge is an impressive structure, its three arches sitting astride the River Avon, a splendid backdrop to the crescent-shaped river weir. The bridge in Bath is one of the most photographed examples of Georgian architecture in the city. it was designed in 1769 by Robert Adam and named after Frances Pulteney, wife of William Johnstone Pulteney. He had grand plans to create a 'new town' to rival that of John Wood's on the west side of the city. His grand scheme needed a new bridge, and he didn't want just any old bridge; he wanted a spectacular bridge, one which everyone would talk about, and that's how this came into existence.

The Pulteney Bridge is a brilliant bridge and charming piece of architecture. The cascading fall waters of the Avon river create such wonderful and incredible photo opportunities. I didn't enter any of the shops or cafes, I just assumed they were overpriced due to the location. It's free to see and admire, do it!

Just a few minutes from our stay we came to this water view and bridge at the Avon River. Thanks Maria P. Good advice.

This is a very cool bridge. You don't even know it's a bridge because it is lined with stores on both sides and you think it's just another street unless you see it from the side. I missed it a few times because of that until I realized what was going on.

Pulteney Bridge was built in 1770 and is one of only four remaining bridges in Europe to support shops across the full span of the bridge. It's a rare sight indeed and now we've been to three of these bridges! I had every intention to stop at the coffee shop situated on the bridge once we arrived in the city of Bath, but after a big lunch we decided to just admire the bridge from afar. The bridge crosses over the River Avon and the surrounding area is lovely to take a stroll and people watch. It's considered one of the world's most beautiful and romantic bridges and is best viewed from Parade Gardens and the crescent weir. It's definitely picturesque and I honestly regret not taking more photos, lol. So take your time, enjoy the view, and snap away.

4 out of 5 stars. Would cross again! All the shops on the bridge are very cute, very British shops. Lots of tea shops, Lots of pubs. Don't miss the steps to down towards the base of the bridge. There are also a couple of cafes down there that'll give you the close views of the arches below the bridge.

Gorgeous bridge in one of the most wonderful areas in England. Bath is unique and the scenery around this bridge is unmatched. For anyone who enjoys sites and landmarks, this should be towards the top of the list.

Pulteney Bridge crosses the River Avon in Bath, England. It was completed by 1774, and connected the city with the land of the Pulteney family which they wished to develop. Designed by Robert Adam in a Palladian style, it is exceptional in having shops built across its full span on both sides. Located in the famous Roman city of Bath. A lovely place to shop, meander and dine and also people watch.

Rare encounter of a bridge that still has shops and restaurants running along both sides. The Pulteney Bridge crosses the River Avon with the horseshoe Pulteney weir beneath. It is pleasant area for a stroll to watch all the seagulls or climb down the stairs to the trails by the riverbank.

Picturesque bridge across river Avon. Shops along each side. Walk down the stairs for a full view of it. Boat rides departing under the bridge for $11 for a 1 hour ride.

A beautiful bridge, one of four in the world that has shops on both sides of it. The architecture is so beautiful, I really was excited to walk over it and check out the shops.

Bath is such a beautiful city and it has so many set pieces of perfect architecture that it might be possible to overlook some. You might even miss the Pulteney Bridge by mistake. And a mistake that would be. As a Grade I listed building, it is a historic and beautiful part of the city of Bath. Do yourself a favor and walk up the river so that you can turn around and get a shot of this amazing bridge! There are even shops on the bridge. The stamp shop that is the size of a stamp was particularly cute!

Bath is such a beautiful, quaint, walkable city! We walked along the length of the city, and definitely got the best views here! There's a little garden next to the bridge as well, and looked like an amazing place to relax and spend an afternoon.

Lovely attraction, and nice shops! You get a much much much better view of the bridge if you stand further away from the bridge for the pictures! Try capture the water feature as well at the bottom. Fun fact: for those who has watched the Les Misérables movie; this is the bridge that Javert (Russel Crowe) jumped off in the last scene. Obviously the bridge is not supposed to be as close, but you still see the water features at the bottom.

Pulteney Bridge was built in 1770 by Sir William Pulteney for the purest of commercial motives: to link the City of Bath with land on the opposite bank, which he wanted to develop. Fortunately for Bath and for us, he chose the famous Georgian architect Robert Adams for the task, and ended up with a Palladian masterpiece. One of only four bridges in the world to be lined on both sides by shops, it graces many a Bath postcard - some achievement in this city of postcard views. The best views are not from the bridge itself, of course, but from Pulteney Gardens near the weir (see photograph). But do walk across to Great Pulteney Street, to see what Sir William then had built: the architect Thomas Baldwin provided him with yet another magnificent set-piece of Georgian architecture. Both are elements in Bath's listing as a World Heritage Site.

Wouldn't be a trip to Bath without a walk along the bridge area. Close to the shops and a few bars and restaurants. Definitely worth the walk down if you're in the area.

3 1/2p* Pulteney Bridge On the Avon River Very picturesque site for photograph opportunity Has shops like the Rialto in Florence

Bath is a gorgeous city from one end to the other, but this bridge goes above and beyond. The bridge itself is quite unique - you don't even realize you're walking over a bridge as you pass over it, as it's one of the only three bridges in the world that has permanent shops on it. The view of the river from around the corner is truly remarkable. Probably one of the best in Bath.

One of Bath's great attractions is the Georgian architecture with Pulteney Bridge being one of the best examples in the city. Spanning the River Avon, it has shops on it but the best views are from the banks of the river on either side. It has several arches which make delightful pictures, especially if you can get their reflection in teh water. An iconic sight of Bath - don't miss it!

Picturesque Bath is always a delight. Yet as is the way of the world it has become more High Street as the people escaping the city have also brought the city with them. While still very much a Jane Austen movie, it is much more a movie set. Behind Nash architecture and tea shop windows lurk Pret a Manger and Top Shop. So in many ways the historical Pulteney Bridge reflects modern Bath: Classic old patina on the outside, but modern on the inside. And not in a good way. Walking across the bridge one hopes to see quaint shops selling local wares, even if they are touristy, yet what should be a nod to the past has a small assortment of boutique shoppes lost amongst nondescript stores. The large bridge serves as a main road that distracts from the fact you are even on the bridge itself. Such a shame but then again modern life must move on, and traffic needs to cross the river. From the banks of the river though, the bridge is serene and beautiful. Take a moment to enjoy the view, even take a photo or two.

Very beautiful place. Nice sitting in a little caffee on the bridge and taking photographs out of the open window/watching the seagulls. When going down to the water you can sit on benches in the sun. Their are houseboats laying there. Nice.

I doubt there's a single Bath tourist (or resident) who's been able to pass by this beautiful site without admiring it's beauty and/or stopping to take a photograph. The Avon River flows under this bridge and creates a remarkable site day or night. The bridge itself has unique shops on both sides of the street with views from their windows of the river. There's also a beautiful green area next to the river that would be perfect for a romantic picnic as there's rarely anyone down there. Mostly because you have to pay to go down there but as the views are different closer to the water, it's definitely worth paying the small fee.

Beautiful to look upon from above the weir, it's a view that's FREE and totally picture-postcard perfect. We often grab a coffee and stand and look at the bridge (and squint at the rugby at the Rec nearby). The shops on the bridge are fantastically eclectic, changing rooms overhanging the river and other oddities. One of my favourite places in Bath and a lot closer than the Ponte Vecchio in Florence!

Pulteney is a famous bridge. One of the few in the world built to house shops and restaurants. From the side of the bridge you see beautiful views of the parks, rivers, and bridge. Worth stopping by through a walk in town.

Pulteney Bridge is one of only four bridges in the world that have shops spanning across both sides. It was designed by Robert Adam and completed in 1773, after four years of work. It is now a Grade I listed building, as well as a National Monument. It's one of the most iconic sights of Bath, along with the Pump Rooms and Roman Baths themselves. From a personal perspective, it's a great place to watch the river Avon run down the fountain steps below and it has to be one of my favourite parts of the city. It's really a unique place and I think few would argue that Pulteney Bridge is a truly great part of Bath's Georgian heritage.

I loved looking at this bridge and the shops on it were fantastic! I did see a shop whilst on the Austen tour that sold little books that were legible! Expensive though and they do have hardcover ones. Amazing though you'll just have to check it out. My gf did find tons of Guinness stuff and they were all on sale! She wanted to buy thugs for her husband and she scored with this place.

Having heard that this is one of two bridges in the world lined with shops (and having lived next to the Ponte Vecchio in Florence in the past) I thought this would compare. But it doesn't. It's just a street, it's flat, it's ugly, and the shops aren't even worth looking at. Views from the side are pretty enough, but no picturesque. For some better photos, walk to the podium shopping centre behind it and go down the steps to the riverbank. It's 3 flights down, but the pictures of the bridge will be much improved.

Beautiful place to wander along, really tiny shops hanging over the river! Well worth a visit. Located in bath which is a lovely area anyway you find this bridge and its tiny shops scatterd along it, a real rarity. The shops are so small but they are very intricate. The bakery is great selling lots of home made cakes and bread, with very cheap prices too. A great place to go to well worth a visit and your time.

One of the few bridges in the world completely lined with little curio shops catering to tourists on either side. Not the best looking bridge, but very cute and incredibly busy on the bridge itself at the height of the tourist season. Best photographed along with the Weir I feel so the best spot is from over the other side of the road near the gardens. The Bridge itself leads to Great Pulteney St - a maginificent wide avenue which is well worth taking a stroll down

A rare and famous bridge, although i did not know why. But due to it being a bridge with shops built on it makes it very special. Which is quite cool reeally. Some of the shops are great that are situated on it. They are very very small being only 6ft by like 12ft, compared to the shops now days these are minute! The small shops quite literally 6 ft wide are great. The bakery is brilliant lovely cakes at reasonable prices. Definately worth a look.

If coming to Bath you must visit Pulteney Bridge. It's small shops are cute and quirky. A bit of a tight squeeze, but thats all part of the experience, there are even places to go and grab a bite! The architecture is brilliant, and its in a fantastic location, just on the edge of the city centre, and over looking the gorgeous wier. Take a camera!

Are we with Bath or Florence?!?! Be careful you can totally miss this bridge as I did the first time I went to Bath. Thank Goodness for the Austen Centre's walking tour because our guide totally gave us the lowdown and my friend and I even went all the way back to check out some of the little shops on the bridge. Loved it! Picturesque, lovely and fun. How much better can it get?

This is a beautiful bridge which overlooks the River Avon & has shops & restaurants lining both sides. It's very graceful & a delight to see during the day & at night is magically transformed with floodlights. Boat trips leave from there.

Bath is a beautiful city in its own right but coming down to the bridge just topped of a great visit. Fantastic views down the river and accross the valley make it too easy to drift away in thoughts of a life a that was. Bath rugby club is just around the corner with free entry on Monday nights with the A tean are playing at home.

The bridge is an incredible sight, particularly towards sunset and sunrise and when floodlit. Stop and look out over the weir, and check out the quirky shops on the bridge and closeby. Highly recommended if you are visiting Bath for the first time.

I've heard that this is a really rare bridge in that it has buildings on it. I think bridges used to much more like this but now its possible only this and the famous Florence one. So well worth a look. It's very pretty to look over the wier too, very relaxing and there are usually some swans here. There are a few cafes here as well one on the bridge itself and one just down by the wier where you can sit out in the summer.

arguably one of baths greatest landmarks benign one of the few inhabited bridges of the Palladian style like those in Venice, there are a variety of little shops and food places on the bridge. quite a handy place to meet people and good for nice views of the weir. in the summers its grossly overpopulated by tourists and its fair to say most of the shops on the bridge are catering to that demographic.

Pulteny Bridge is one of THREE bridges in the world lined with shops. The other two are the Ponte Vecchio in Florence and the Rialto in Venice. As compared to the Italian two, it is flat and shorter (smaller) with less shops, and certainly less 'flashy' shops. The Ponte Vecchio is lined with Jewellery shops and the Rialto with touristy shops, Pulteny is much more 'local' with a smoothy cafe, coffee shop, boutique etc. On the bridge you wouldn't know you were on a bridge, but the best views of it are from either side, especially when it's all lit up at night. It's shops might not set you on fire, but peaceful evenings on the river bank looking are quite inspirational (so long as there's not a rugby match at the nearby Rec!)