Walks & views / Oxford
The Bridge of Sighs
A covered stone skyway over New College Lane linking Hertford College's quads — one of Oxford's signature photo stops.
Plan this experience01 / Why it matters
More than a stop on a list.
It is one of Oxford's signature photo stops, moments from Radcliffe Square and the Bodleian.
The Bridge of Sighs, officially Hertford Bridge, is a covered stone skyway spanning New College Lane to join the two quadrangles of Hertford College. Built in 1913–1914 to a design by Sir Thomas Graham Jackson, its enclosed, arched form earned it a nickname after the Venetian bridge. It is one of Oxford's most photographed street views, visible free from the lane at any hour; the interior is private to the college.
02 / The essentials
What makes it remarkable.
- 01
A covered stone skyway over New College Lane linking the two quadrangles of Hertford College.
- 02
Built 1913–1914 to a design by Sir Thomas Graham Jackson; nicknamed after Venice's Bridge of Sighs.
- 03
Grade II listed (Historic England 1046725).
- 04
The exterior is visible free from the street at any time; the interior is private to the college.
- 05
One of Oxford's signature street views, a short walk from Radcliffe Square.
03 / The place
The building in context.
A story written in stone since 1913.
- Built
- 1913–1914
- Architect
- Sir Thomas Graham Jackson
- Style
- Gothic Revival
- Listing
- Grade II / Historic England ↗
- Archive
- Wikidata Q3407626 ↗
04 / Before you go
Plan it well.
Enjoy it properly.
Practical detail, separated from the story so you can scan what matters when you are ready to visit.
Tickets & entry
Free — the exterior is visible from the public street at all times. The interior is private to the college.
Opening hours
Viewable 24/7 from New College Lane and Catte Street.
Booking
No booking — a free street view.
Access
Viewed from the public street with level access; the bridge interior is private and not open to visitors.
Continue exploring / Oxford
What will you
do next?
Compare the practical essentials first, then open the experiences that earn a place in your plans.
Oxford experienceBodleian Library guided tourTimeTours run roughly 30–90 minutesExplore experience →
Oxford experienceHistory of Science MuseumTimeAllow 45–90 minutesExplore experience →
Oxford experienceOxford University Museum of Natural HistoryTimeAllow 1–2 hoursExplore experience →
Oxford experiencePitt Rivers MuseumTimeAllow 1–2 hoursExplore experience →
Oxford experiencePunt the CherwellTimeAllow 1–2 hours on the waterExplore experience →
Oxford experienceSheldonian Theatre & cupola climbTimeAllow 45–60 minutes including the cupola climbExplore experience →
Oxford experienceThe Ashmolean MuseumTimeAllow 1.5–3 hoursExplore experience →
Oxford experienceThe Radcliffe CameraTime10–15 minutes to admireExplore experience →
Oxford experienceThe Weston LibraryTimeAllow 30–60 minutesExplore experience →05 / Good to know
Questions,
answered.
01Can you walk across the Bridge of Sighs in Oxford?
No — the interior is private to Hertford College. But you can view and photograph it free from New College Lane and Catte Street at any time.
02Why is it called the Bridge of Sighs?
It is nicknamed after the Bridge of Sighs in Venice for its covered, arched form, though it more closely resembles Venice's Rialto Bridge. Its official name is Hertford Bridge.
03When was the Bridge of Sighs in Oxford built?
It was built in 1913–1914 to a design by Sir Thomas Graham Jackson.