Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs, in Oxford

The Bridge of Sighs is one of the most photographed monuments of Oxford, an elegant covered walkway that spans a street of the centre. The Oxford audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this bridge of Hertford College, which recalls its famous Venetian counterpart.

The walkway of Hertford College

The Bridge of Sighs, by its real name the Hertford Bridge, is one of the most famous images of Oxford. This elegant covered walkway, built at the beginning of the twentieth century, spans the New College Lane to link the two parts of Hertford College, located on either side of the alley. Its nickname of Bridge of Sighs comes to it from its supposed resemblance to the famous bridge of the same name in Venice, even if, by its arched form and its ornaments, it actually evokes more the Rialto bridge. Whatever the case, its graceful silhouette, which stands out above the paved street between the old walls of the colleges, composes one of the prettiest pictures of the town and makes the happiness of the photographers. A symbol of the architectural charm of Oxford and of the ingenuity of the colleges to link their buildings, the Bridge of Sighs is a must-see stop of the discovery of the town.

What to see

You admire the elegant covered walkway of the beginning of the twentieth century, the Hertford Bridge, which spans the New College Lane to link the two parts of Hertford College, nicknamed Bridge of Sighs for its resemblance to the one in Venice, whose graceful silhouette above the paved street composes one of the prettiest pictures of the town. The Bridge of Sighs is emblematic of Oxford. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Bridge of Sighs lies on New College Lane, in the heart of Oxford, near the Bodleian Library, reachable on foot. It is an open-air monument, freely visible from the street. You discover it during a walk in the centre.

Why is this bridge of Oxford called the Bridge of Sighs?

Because of its supposed resemblance to the famous bridge of the same name in Venice; this covered walkway, by its real name the Hertford Bridge, built at the beginning of the twentieth century, spans the New College Lane to link the two parts of Hertford College.

Where is the Bridge of Sighs of Oxford?

On New College Lane, in the heart of Oxford, in England.