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Although Llangollen takes its name from the church and its founder, the fact there was a bridge or crossing of the River Dee at this point was a contributory factor in building the church in the first place.

No doubts of a wooden construction, it would have been open to the ravages of the Dee in flood almost every year so would have to have been constantly repaired or even replaced!

It wasn't until 1345 that the first stone bridge was constructed by John Trevor I, Bishop of St Asaph. This is believed to be the first stone bridge over the Dee and would have remained so for quite some considerable time.

The first major rebuilding of the structure took place during the period Cromwell's Protectorate in 1656, with the cost of 250 pounds indicating a great deal of work was required......

Despite this, the bridge was still only a mere 8ft wide and by 1873 wasn't coping to well with the increase in traffic brought about by Llangollen's industrialisation. It was therefore decided to double its width, with all the necessary work undertaken on the up river side of the structure, faithfully re-producing the original design.

Ten years earlier an extra arch was added to allow the railway into the town. Whilst some small demolition work was undertaken, fragments of floriated sepulchral slabs from
Valle Crucis Abbey were found. The abbey must have been used as a quarry during the 1656 alterations so it's interesting to consider how much more is still in there!

It was again widened in 1969 on the same side, meaning the down river side is still original.

Llangollen Bridge is an extremely important structure in terms of historical importance and practical use and is one of the town's true icons. It is also a superb viewing platform for the international canoeing events now returning to the town.