Engineering the Impossible

The bridge's two towers are built from honey-coloured Penmon limestone, quarried on the Anglesey coast. They are hollow inside, with cross-walls for structural strength. Sixteen enormous chain cables — each made from 935 wrought-iron links and stretching 522 metres — were assembled link by link on site, with workers suspended in wooden cradles high above the strait. The final central sections were floated across on a 400-foot raft and hauled into position by 150 men working pulleys.↗↗

The iron chains — each weighing 121 tonnes — were soaked in linseed oil to prevent rust between manufacture and installation. The chains disappear into vast rock-cut chambers on either side of the strait, where they are anchored by nine-foot bolts in cast-iron sockets. Admiralty rules demanded 100 feet of clearance above high water, which is why the deck sits so dramatically high above the waves.↗↗

The bridge has been carefully maintained over two centuries. In 1893, the original wooden deck was replaced with a steel one designed by Sir Benjamin Baker. The wrought-iron chains themselves were swapped for steel in 1938–40 — done without closing the bridge to traffic at all. A 2005 campaign saw the bridge fully repainted for the first time in 65 years.↗

Walking and Exploring the Bridge

You can cross the Menai Suspension Bridge on foot via its dedicated pedestrian walkway, an experience that gives you a real sense of the height and scale that awed Victorian travellers. From the deck, you look down 30 metres to the churning tidal waters below and across to both the Britannia Bridge and the Snowdonian peaks.↗↗

For a different perspective, walk beneath the bridge. The Anglesey Coastal Path passes directly under the span, and from there you can appreciate the full drama of the towers rising above you and the chains sweeping through the sky. The path continues along the strait shoreline with views back to Bangor and the mainland.↗

On the Anglesey side, a short walk from the town centre brings you to the base of the bridge, where its true scale is most impressive. From here, the Belgian Promenade — built by Flemish refugees during the First World War — leads south-west toward a causeway connecting Church Island and the ancient St Tysilio's Church, with wonderful views of both bridges and Ynys Gorad Goch, the tiny island once used for fish traps.↗

The Wales Coast Path crosses over the bridge itself, joining the mainland path at the Bangor end, making this a natural stop for long-distance walkers exploring the North Wales coastline.↗

The Thomas Telford Centre

A visit to the bridge pairs beautifully with the nearby Menai Heritage museum in the town of Menai Bridge (Porthaethwy). The fully accredited Thomas Telford Centre features exhibits of artefacts, original drawings, films, and interactive displays about both the Suspension Bridge and the Britannia Bridge. Qualified guides share stories of the engineers and craftsmen who built these structures. The centre also offers walk suggestions and talks about the Menai Strait and its history.↗

The centre operates seasonally, so it is worth checking opening times before visiting. At other times of year, special events and group visits can be arranged through the Menai Heritage project.↗

A Cultural Icon

The Menai Bridge has permeated British culture far beyond engineering. It appears on the reverse of £1 coins minted in 2005, and Lewis Carroll wrote about it in Through the Looking-Glass, where the White Rabbit sings of keeping the bridge from rusting by "boiling it in wine" — a playful nod to the real linseed-oil treatment of the iron chains.↗↗

The bridge also inspired the Welsh englyn by poet Dewi Wyn o Eifion, translated as: "High fortress above the sea — the world drives its carriages across it; and you, all you ships of the sea, pass beneath its chains." Its audacious design and sweeping beauty made it a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status.↗

Practical Information

The bridge is open to pedestrians and cyclists, and is illuminated at night, making evening walks particularly atmospheric. Wheelchair access is available at the bridge entrance.↗

The town of Menai Bridge on the Anglesey side has a good selection of pubs, restaurants, cafés, and independent shops, including local seafood. Both free and paid parking options are available on either side of the strait. The nearby Britannia Bridge carries rail services and can also be walked across via a dedicated footpath, making a combined visit to both bridges a rewarding half-day outing.↗

Note that the bridge currently operates under a weight restriction due to structural remedial works. Pedestrian access remains available, but check the latest travel advisories before planning a driving crossing, as closures to vehicular traffic have occurred periodically since 2022.↗↗