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The Union Chain Bridge is an historic engineering marvel spanning the famous River Tweed.
Nestled in the borderlands between Coldstream and Berwick-upon-Tweed, this iconic structure connects England with Scotland, and remains an important local landmark.
It was originally designed for horse-drawn vehicles, facilitating trade and travel between the two nations during a period of rapid industrialisation. Today it can accept cars, but only one at a time.
Constructed between 1819 and 1820, the Union Chain Bridge holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest operational suspension bridge still carrying road traffic. Designed by Captain Samuel Brown, a visionary engineer, the bridge was a revolutionary feat of engineering for its time. Stretching 137 metres (449 feet) across the river, it was a pioneering example of the suspension bridge design, utilising wrought iron chains to support the deck, a technique that would later inspire larger and more ambitious bridge projects around the globe.
It is certainly a fascinating structure, and well worth a visit. We crossed the bridge back into Scotland after a trip to Berwick.