Coordinates: 51°45′04″N 1°14′46″W / 51.751°N 1.246°W / 51.751; -1.246

Punting (Cambridge-style) at Magdalen Bridge.

Magdalen Bridge (pronounced /ˈmɔːdlɨn/ "maudlin") 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.

The present stone bridge was designed by John Gwynn of Shrewsbury and built in 1772–1790. Although the bridge was opened to traffic by the end of 1778, a new scheme for the balustrade and the completion of the south western corner were not finished until 1782 and 1790 respectively.^[1] Despite opposition from university members, the bridge was widened in 1882 to accommodate a four-foot gauge track for the tramway.^[2]

According to Pevsner, the bridge has "good sturdy balusters", although these have been replaced over the years because of degradation due to pollution.^[3]

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 small boathouse at the base of the bridge next to Magdalen College.

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, despite the danger of injury due to low water levels in the Cherwell. In some years many jumpers have been injured and, in order to avoid this, the bridge is now routinely closed on May Morning.^[4][5]

[edit] See also

• Magdalene Bridge, Cambridge

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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

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