You History: Brecon Bridges -Watergate Bridge

This is one of three bridges that spanned the Honddu within the boundaries of Brecon.They can be seen in John Speed’s map of Brecon published in 1610, and were listed by Hugh Thomas in 1698, as Priory Bridge, Castle Bridge and Aberhonddu (aka Honddu and Watergate) Bridge.

Very near to the confluence of the Honddu and Usk rivers Watergate bridge spans the narrower and fast flowing Honddu river. This bridge, with three arches, has been included in many paintings of Brecon Castle.

Historically, the Honddu river has been notorious for its floods.The fast-flowing river has experienced three devastating floods – 1853, 1873 and 1876.The flood of 9th July 1853 saw the recently widened Watergate Bridge being completely washed away, and eight people lost their lives.

Rebuilt again, with three stone arches, it was destroyed again in the 1873 flood.

This time, an iron bridge was built on the site, the arches were removed to leave the Honddu flow free.This is how it appears today.

Accounts of the 1853 flood can be read in local newspapers and in the Illustrated London Times.

Article supplies by Breconshire Local & Family History Society