Magdalen Bridge spans the divided stream of the River Cherwell and connects Oxford city centre to the west with the area known as East Oxford. Magdalen bridge is next to Magdalen College from where it gets its name and pronunciation (maudlin).

This point of the Cherwell has been used for crossing since ancient times. The first known reference to a bridge goes back to 1004. The current bridge was built between 1772 and 1790 by John Randall, but widened in 1882 to accommodate track for a tramway. 

The bridge is the scene of large crowds every 1st May early in the morning for the traditional May Morning celebrations in Oxford. Magdalen Bridge is also a very popular starting point for punting and you can see a group setting off punting in this beautiful painting from the riverbank looking up towards the bridge.