burges modelled the bridge on the medieval kapellbrücke at lucerne which he had seen on his european travels in the 1850s. like the kapellbrücke, the swiss bridge was built in timber, constructed on a framework of stilts built over the leat. it had over-large eaves on the roof, topped with weathervanes fashioned into the initial 'b'. the bridge concluded with a small summer-house on the bute park side. the bridge was constructed by estcourts of gloucester, prominent builders who worked for burges on a number of projects and whose bill was £1,108. the architectural historian and burges expert joseph mordaunt crook called it a ""jeu d'esprit", unique in this country".