About
This Scheduled Monument and Grade II* Listed structure was built in 1425 to allow people and small carts to cross the River Ogmore (prior to this the river was crossed by a ford at this point). One of the reasons why the Normans built their castle (Newcastle Castle) on top of the nearby hill (Newcastle Hill) was to control this important river crossing and the route to and from the west. The original bridge had four arches but a flood in August 1775 destroyed the two western arches. These were replaced by a single, wider arch. The easternmost arch was absorbed in the surrounding buildings of nos. 12 and 14 Dunraven Place. The bridge was built out of course rubble with a small rampart. It now carries a cobbled and flag stone pathway and leads into the historical core of Bridgend town centre.
The present name of the town is authentically derived from the name 'Bryggen Eynde' and is mentioned in a document dated 1447 – soon after the first bridge was erected. The name evolved over many years until its present-day version of Bridgend and its Welsh equivalent of Penybont ar Ogwr.
