Tintagel Bridge inaugurated on 20 July 2020.
© Hufton & Crow
Set on the rugged North Cornwall coast, Tintagel Castle is one of the most spectacular historic sites in Britain. But the path to the castle has long been challenging, with over a hundred steps winding towards to the cliff-top ruins. English Heritage has built a new footbridge at Tintagel Castle, recreating the historic crossing from the mainland to the headland.
Credit: English Heritage/Jim Holden
Spanning a 190-foot gorge and with a gasp-inducing gap in the middle, the bridge follows the line of the original route – a narrow strip of land, long lost to erosion – between the 13th-century gatehouse on the mainland and the courtyard on the jagged headland or island jutting into the sea.
© Hufton & Crow
The new bridge enhances the visitor experience, enabling more people to discover the site and facilitate its understanding. The design from Ney & Partners and William Matthews Associates sees two cantilevers reach out and meet, not quite touching, with a 40mm gap in the middle. The gap represents the transition from the mainland to the island, present to past. The structure tapers from a height of 4.5 m where it springs from the rock face to just 170 cm at the centre. The bridge’s materials are simple, durable and suited to the context of the site: painted steel, stainless steel, and local slate.
About the Author:
Bruno Dursin – Managing Director at Believe in Steel. Bruno has more than 30 years of experience in promoting steel & steel solutions. His clients benefit from his extensive network within the building industry.
