Upstream, the land to the west is occupied by Castle Park, created on an area destroyed by bombing during the Second World War, whilst the opposite bank is occupied by the former Georges Bristol Brewery, now redeveloped as Finzels Reach.

The name may therefore refer to the many smaller bridges over the Avon's tributary, the River Frome, constructed in the marshy surrounding area, which is now largely built over.

[5] Houses on the bridge were attractive and charged high rents as they had so much passing traffic, and had plenty of fresh air while waste could be dropped into the river.

[5] In 1760 a bill to replace the bridge was carried through parliament by the Bristol MP Sir Jarrit Smyth.

The commission accepted the design of James Bridges after many long drawn out disputes which are still unclear.

In the 19th century, the roadway was again congested, so walkways were added on either side, the supporting columns disguising the classical Georgian design.