Bridge of Sighs, Cambridge
The Bridge of Sighs is a covered, pedestrianized bridge over the River Cam at St. John's College in Cambridge.
The name "Cambridge" means, of course, "Bridge over the River Cam". Now there are many bridges in the town of varying shapes, sizes and functions.
The Bridge of Sighs, however, is probably the best known and most photographed bridge in Cambridge.
The bridge is now popularly referred to after the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy. Not to be outdone, there is also a Bridge of Sighs in Oxford, though it crosses a street and not a river.
History
The bridge opened in 1831 in St. John's College and links Third Court and New Court. The structure is the design of Henry Hutchinson (1800-1831), who died shortly after its opening. Done in the Gothic Revival style, it is said to have been a favourite of Queen Victoria.
Originally called "New Bridge," the name "Bridge of Sighs" stuck due to a supposed similarity to the famous enclosed bridge that links the prison to the Ducal Palace in Venice.
Judge for yourself on how similar the two bridges are by looking at a photograph of the bridge in Venice below.
The bridge is the only covered bridge in Cambridge and the only one in Gothic Revival style. Only students and staff of St. John's can access the bridge.
Up until the bridge was constructed all colleges in Cambridge were on the east side of the river. Building expansion on the west side of the Cam created an area now known as "The Backs."
Wren Bridge aka "Kitchen Bridge" also links Third Court and New Court. This is an earlier bridge made to a design by Sir Christopher Wren by local architect and stonemason, Robert Grumbold. This bridge affords great views of the Bridge of Sighs and is fully open to the general public.
Nearby
Cambridge is best explored on foot, by bicycle or on the river in a punt. Other attractions are the University Botanical Gardens, the Fitzwilliam Museum on Trumpington Street, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology on Downing Street, the Whipple Museum of the History of Science on Free School Lane and the Scott Polar Research Institute (Polar Museum) on Lensfield Road.
Other popular colleges for tourists are Clare College, King's College and Trinity College.
The wooden Mathematical Bridge at Queen's College is another well-known bridge in the town. Clare Bridge is the oldest bridge in Cambridge.
Hotels
If you wish to stay in Cambridge there are several recommended options. These include the three-star Holiday Inn Express Cambridge, the three-star ibis Cambridge Central Station and the four-star Ramada Cambridge, a 20-minute drive from the centre.
Hotels in Cambridge
Cambridge Accommodation - Booking.com
Book Hotels in England - Booking.com