Sighteeing London Bridges
Battersea Bridge
Nowadays, the old wooden bridge is no longer there. But the London Battersea Bridge is still there and it's still the scariest road bridge I've ever driven across. It's amazing how narrow it is. This is because the river is so wide at this point that pedestrian bridges are just not viable. This bridge was built in 1890 when there was no motor vehicle traffic to consider. The Victoria Bridge (which is much closer to central London) was a much better alternative bringing more commuter traffic via train or bus but this was closed due to its proximity to Chelsea which certainly had positive and negative aspects to its closure.
Fascinated by all things Victorian, I was keen to learn about the history of Battersea Bridge, My City of London (mycityoflondon.co.uk). As I walked across the bridge, toward Battersea Park, I briefly imagined what it would be like as a pedestrian if one of today's multi-lane motorways went through the centre of such a narrow bridge. I also wondered how such an historical anomaly could exist in London in this age of high-tech innovation and heavily regulated land use. Battersea Bridge was constructed in 1890, as part of the Battersea extension of the London Underground.
The River Thames was once a major obstacle for many commuters who had to take a ferry or horse and cart to cross the waterway. The modernist design was chosen by competition via a tender process in 1888, won by young architect H. T. F Lockwood. Battersea Bridge. Built in 1890, Battersea Bridge is the narrowest road bridge over the Thames. Before the current bridge was built, the river could be crossed at this point by the very last wooden bridge on the Thames.
Chelsea Bridge
The first Chelsea Bridge, designed by Peter W. Barlow, was completed in 1858. It opened to traffic on 17 June 1858. The bridge was constructed using the materials and building techniques of the era, which would make it vulnerable to heavy wear and tear during its 75-year life. By the 1890s, the bridge was becoming increasingly ramshackle; major repairs were required in 1915–16. Chelsea Bridge was previously known as Strand Bridge which took its name from the Strand south of the river.
At one time the River Police used to be stationed in a small police station at Chelsea Bridge, which could be accessed from the riverside by a door on the right hand side of the bridge, facing London. Chelsea Bridge in London, England, connects Chelsea on the north bank with Battersea on the south. It has been rebuilt several times and today carries road traffic over the River Thames. The bridge is close to Battersea Power Station and a little further from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
The original design of Chelsea Bridge by Captain Samuel Brown (1777-1858) was for a stone construction with an arch of 577 feet which would have been, at the time of its completion the longest single-span arched bridge in the world. Chelsea Bridge is a suspension bridge to carry the North London Line (formerly Broad Street and Highbury Branch) railway across the River Thames. It spans the whole width of the river. In 1876 the bridge was acquired by the Metropolitan Board of Works and from that time to the present day, the bridge has borne the designation "Chelsea Bridge.
Chiswick Bridge
After mass protest (and one very old lady) the idea of a bridge crossing the River Thames at this point was invited in 1834 but rejected. Finally in 1867 construction began on Chiswick Bridge – named after the area where it crosses. The foundation stone had been laid by HRH Princess Alexandra in March 1868. The bridge was planned and constructed by Colonel Rich of the Royal Engineers; and designed by William Tierney Clark, also an engineer in the Royal Engineers.
Chiswick Bridge is a bascule bridge with four equal openings, which was built in 1932–33 and opened in July 1933. It is made from concrete and has stone facings. It spans the River Thames east of Barnes Bridge and carries pedestrians, cyclists and some cars across the river. Opened by Sir Arthur Harrison, MP for Chiswick, it was given Grade II listed structure status on 6 January 1970. Chiswick Bridge is a London County Council (LCC) stone arch bridge across the River Thames in west London designed by LCC's chief engineer Sir Edwin Cooper and assistant engineer John Anderson.
It was originally known as Nine Elms Bridge, but was renamed after the area of Chiswick it linked to Battersea, as part of an LCC policy of naming bridges after nearby destinations. It was the only bridge to be open for 72 years, before a pair of new bridges were opened in June 2005 at the same time as the existing structure was refurbished. Chiswick Bridge is an elegant red-brick construction with three stone pillars topped by wooden posts supporting cast-iron balustrades above each traffic lane.
Hampton Court Bridge
In other words, Hampton Court Bridge is a bridge in London, that's on the Thames river. This may not be what Wikipedia defines as 'interesting', but it's proof that beyond the info-entrée of Wikipedia lies a whole sea of possibility: there are only four rivers (Amazon, Nile, Ob and Yangtze) that have longer articles than the mighty Thames. Hampton Court Bridge, located south of Hampton Court Palace, is considered the furthest upstream bridge on the Thames that can be reached by road and is one of only four bridges out of a total of twenty four in Greater London to cross the River Thames.
Hampton Court Bridge is the furthest upstream Thames bridge in Greater London, crossing the river from Hampton Court Palace. The present bridge was opened in 1910, but it is set to be replaced by a new three-lane structure designed by Michael Squire. Hampton Court Bridge. The furthest upstream Thames bridge in Greater London, Hampton Court Bridge crosses the Thames from Hampton Court Palace. ". Built in 1890, Battersea Bridge is the narrowest road bridge over the Thames.
Hungerford Bridge And Golden Jubilee Bridges
The Hungerford Bridge is a railway bridge over the River Thames in London, and forms part of the Charing Cross to Newcastle (Northern) Line in the South Eastern Railway network. Opened in 1845, it was later named after the nearby Charing Cross, and is currently the eleventh longest bridge in Europe. However, this is not why I’m writing about both bridges (and no there isn’t another reason I’m writing about them except that I like taking photos).
Today marks the date the Hungerford Bridge and Golden Jubilee Bridges were officially opened. Today, the two bridges either side of the original structure have remained a tourist attraction for Londoners and walkers alike. These bridges are on the footpath known as the South Bank which runs alongside the river Thames. The Thames Path can be walked in parts by pedestrians day and night for free. '. The Hungerford Bridge, London, is a railway bridge over the River Thames.
It is situated between Charing Cross station and the confluence of the River Thames and The Mill Stream in the West End of London. The north end of the bridge is Charing Cross station itself, whilst beneath the south end is a large regional office block known as Embankment Place. The footbridges either side of the Hungerford Bridge are elegant and imposing structures, and at first glance appear to be two separate bridges. In fact, both the footbridges were constructed as part of one project.
The bridge spans the River Thames between the Embankment Gardens on the north side and Temple station on the south side. The Hungerford Bridge opened in 1845 as it gave individuals easy and direct access to the South Bank. It was designed by Sir Isambard Kingdom Brunel to be a footbridge. Due to safety concerns, however, it later became a rail bridge for the Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway (part of the London Underground system).
Kew Bridge
The next day it was the first object I wanted to visit, so my boyfriend and I went via boat and then walked up to Kew Bridge. Kew Bridge has a lovely walkway that leads you across the water. It was a perfect sunny morning; the sun was out and it was very peaceful. There were birds singing, people walking their dogs and we spotted a little “boat-house” along our walk too which we had to check out (the cutest little garden shed, which is completely inaccessible from the water).
Kew Bridge is a bridge crossing of the River Thames in west London, England. The present bridge is the second structure at this location. It was completed in 1910 for the Metropolitan Board of Works as a downstream relief bridge to the existing Kew Railway Bridge, constructed in 1869 by Joseph Cubitt for the London Brighton and South Coast Railway. The current Kew Bridge was completed in 1916 as a replacement to an earlier structure.
From that point on the road was called Strand Bridge. The new bridge had much less steep road gradients and allowed greater pedestrian flow, with space for a narrow pavement on each side of the road. Kew Bridge is a bridge over the River Thames in west London, England. The current bridge, which was given Grade II listed status in 2008, is the fourth bridge at this location. It was designed by Joseph Cubitt and officially opened on 24 May 1869.
What may not be so well known is the abundance of bridges across the Thames in the same vicinity. This includes both Blackfriars (1938) and Hungerford (1845), which are both around a 600-yard walk away from Kew Bridge. Before the current bridge was built, the river could be crossed at this point by the very last wooden bridge on the Thames. Built in the 19th century, Battersea Bridge is one of the few remaining narrow road bridges in the UK.
Kingston Bridge
The original purpose of the bridge was to provide a quick route for people, horses and cattle to cross the Thames, bypassing Kingston itself. The construction is of iron girders on brick arches, completing its stone approach walls in 1886. The bridge spans 327ft across the Thames and at one time was painted green but today is black. An odd fact about this bridge is that it used to be called "The Black Bridge" by locals because it was originally painted black.
The plaque on the Kingston side of Kingston Bridge gives no indication that Londoners once ducked women suspected of witchcraft. However, a plaque erected in Hampton Wick (in 2006) offers a reminder that, two hundred years after a less enlightened age believed women who washed clothes on the river bank were witches who cursed them with piles and scurvy, in other ways they were still seen as agents of disease. Hampton Wick was once a hamlet in the parish of Kingston Upon Thames, now subsumed into the town.
The pub was mentioned as being in existence by 1766, and another report from 1815 lists the two pubs: 'The Plough'and the 'Duke of Cumberland'(later known as the 'Kingston Arms'and then the 'Corn Exchange'). Once over the bridge, take the footpath that goes down to the riverside and you have a lovely walk on the Thames. There is a nice pub called the Anchor, just behind Hampton Wick railway station. You could have a really nice meal there, and then back to Hampton Wick for an interesting walk back to Kingston.
Lambeth Bridge
When people in Britain think of Georgian architecture, their thoughts might go straight to the elegant Whitehall or Westminster Palace. Charles Dickens was a little more forthright in his views of Victorian London. He wrote: ‘If you wish to see what is absolutely perfect in the way of ugliness and deformity, go and look at St. Stephen Walbrooks [the church next to Lambeth Bridge]. ’. The houses that make up the House of Lords and the Commons are hidden behind manicured hedges, gardens and gates and can only be seen from certain points beside the Thames.
However, during our free walking tour you'll discover more than one secret viewpoint where any Londoner or tourist can take in a lofty view of Big Ben and beyond. Did you know that the first Lambeth Bridge was built of wood in the 13th century? It was later rebuilt in stone, but this was pulled down only seven years later due to the construction being shoddy. The third bridge was made of cast iron and stood for almost 50 years before being replaced with the current structure.
In his novels, Charles Dickens describes the bridge as ‘the ugliest and most forbidding bridge in London or Westminster’ but he goes on to admit that it has a certain attraction. It is a short walk across the bridge and into the large green space of The Hampton Wick Park and Ride. This is also where Hampton Court to London trains run from, along with Kingston to Richmond trains. It was designed by Robert Wilson and opened by Queen Victoria on 26th September 1890.
London Bridge
The first London Bridge was built by the Romans around 50 AD and linked the southern bank of the Thames to the settlement of Londinium. The bridge was rebuilt many times over the centuries, chiefly by the Normans, but it remained a good way across the river until its final incarnation a busy and narrow stone bridge that took three minutes to cross. Its upkeep was very costly and private individuals managed to force London Bridge into debt so it was seized by King Henry VIII and dismantled.
London Bridge is the oldest bridge in London with 600 years of history. It has evolved over time, from a simple wooden bridge in the 12th century to patched together houses on piers in the 18th century and modern day bridges. Its history is that of the city itself, starting as a market town and growing to be one of the greatest cities in the world; home to booming trade and industry, flashier things, great architecture and a world-famous landmark.
The latest version of London Bridge was designed by John Rennie in 1824, and was completed in 1831. It had to be built on the same alignment as the previous bridge due to the interests of local merchants, which resulted in a unique structure which was effectively hinged at the north end, allowing enough room for shipping to pass under the bridge. While much more subdued in design compared to its flashier neighbour, London Bridge is arguably just as famous.
Millennium Bridge
Watching from the south bank, where I waited for a friend to meet me for lunch, the bridge appeared to sway as it was pushed by the wind. Whether this was simply because of the subtlety of the drama of the design became a matter of public speculation when several pedestrians suffered disorientation on the first day. In press reports, it was suggested that the effect had been caused by vertigo brought about by an optical illusion created by the backlighting and increasing darkness as one approached the bridge during its opening hours.
The media coverage led to widespread belief in a phenomenon popularly referred to as The Trembling Bridge Syndrome. ‘The wobbly bridge?’ That’s one way to describe London’s second millennium landmark, the Millennium Bridge – or indeed the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The cleverly-dubbed Millennium Bridge opened on 10 June 2000, connecting Tate Modern with St Paul’s Cathedral across the Thames (the two landmarks are connected by long stairways). It was supposed to stay up for 125 years.
Instead, it lasted just over a month, before partly collapsing and being shut down because it wobbled uncontrollably. The culprit? A newfangled type of suspension system that had never been used on a bridge before. The Millennium Bridge with it’s high degree of flexibility was built with out enough stiffening to avoid any wobbling. During the bridge opening ceremony on 10th June 2000, a large group of people all crossing the bridge together caused the bridge to move in an increase in amplitude known as a synchronous lateral excitation or a wave effect.
The bridge soon gained the unofficial nickname ‘The Wobbly Bridge’ because of this problem, and the nickname has stuck ever since. The Millennium Bridge picked up the nickname Wobbly Bridge, and a group from University College London even measured the frequency of the waves: around 2 Hz (2 cycles per second). This phenomenon was caused by a resonance effect. Since there are only two cars crossing it at any given time, the frequency of passing traffic had no noticeable effect, but when lots of pedestrians started crossing it, the frequency of their footsteps made a significant difference.
Putney Bridge
Putney Bridge is a bridge carrying the A219 road across the River Thames in south west London, England. It is approximately 200 metres long with eleven arches. It crosses the tidal river just south of Putney Embankment and should not be confused with the older bridge next to it consisting of five arches and one pier, which was built at the end of the 18th century by famed engineer John Rennie. The present structure, which was built between 1898 and 1901 with five additional arches and two piers at either end, is one of a pair of bridges made at that time to carry the main approaches to Putney Bridge railway station (a disused station which closed in 1917) on an elevated line over Putney Bridge.
I would like to know who thought the Thames was a nice colour of blue for boats to race by! Surely we should just be racing by a grey dirty river that way there is no excuse of not winning. Fulham, Putney and Mortlake all got linked together by 1885 when Parson's Pleasure due to its proximity to the pubs provided the inspiration to run a boat race that took place each Easter Monday.
The current bridge is Grade II listed and dates from 1907 when it was built by Sir John Wolfe-Barry, a noted engineer and builder of London docks who renovated Tower Bridge too. It's a beautiful summer day and I'm walking on Putney Bridge with my dog, our heads towards Kew Gardens. Traffic is a distant rumble and down the street in front of me a fellow in a shiny white track suit runs across the bridge followed by two dogs, a Chihuahua and one similar to mine, only larger.
Richmond Bridge
There are two distinct parts to Richmond Bridge. On the north bank of the river, there is an elegant curved stone arch with a blue stone pediment topped by the winged head of Bacchus and on the south bank, an elaborate tower gateway. Between these two structures, spanning 100 feet across the river, there is a wrought iron arch which at 120 feet long is one of the longest in Europe. Richmond Bridge is a Georgian-style stone bridge, with five elliptical arches with a width of 33 feet (10 m), providing a 100 feet (30 m) clearance at high water.
It was built by William Etheridge and John Fitch between 1774 and 1777, to replace the ferry that had barely sufficed when the Thames froze over in the severe winter of 1763. Richmond Bridge is an 18th century bridge over the River Thames in England. It crosses the river approximately 0. 5 miles (0. 8 km) upstream of its confluence with the River Crane, and 2 miles (3. 2 km) downstream of Kingston Bridge. Built between 1774 and 1777 the bridge was originally known as Twickenham Bridge.
Like Rennie’s other bridges in the capital, it was built of Portland stone to facilitate toll collections. When you visit Richmond and the surrounding area, make sure to check out Richmond Bridge. This historic bridge spanning the River Thames is a landmark of Richmond upon Thames. This is one of the oldest bridges in London and carries traffic between Richmond on the north bank and Twickenham on the south. Bridge tolls have been collected on the present Putney Bridge since 1771.
Southwark Bridge
London is a major city and a cultural, commercial and industrial centre. The City of London is the main financial district and historic core of modern London. London's immediate environs were once an important industrial area. The Victorian era saw the construction of many new bridges with railways a key element. Southwark ( south ) is an inner-city district of central London on the south bank of the River Thames between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge.
Anciently Southwark was both part of the City of London and south east Middlesex. It became an official district in 1855, beginning with the incorporation of Westminster St George in 1833, while remaining divided into parishes until becoming a local authority in 1890. Southwark Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans the River Thames between Bankside and the City of London. The present bridge was designed by Peter W. Barlow, and towers 185 feet (56 m) above the river at mean high water.
It was completed in 1897 and opened by King Edward VII in 1898. This was the third bridge linking the two boroughs that had been built since 1809, and was the last to be raised by Sir Joseph Bazalgette as part of his comprehensive redesign of Londons sewerage system in the 1860s and 1870s. Southwark Bridge is a road traffic and footbridge crossing of the River Thames in an east-west direction in central London. The present bridge was completed in 1921 but is the third to stand on the site.
The current bridge is notable for having a relatively low bridge clearance, requiring all vessels including cruise liners to pass beneath it. If you are looking for a bit of London history, Southwark Bridge has plenty. Built in 1900, it is the oldest bridge on the north bank of the Thames. It is also home to four statues each representing a former Lord Mayor of London. However, it is not known when a bridge was first built over the Thames at Putney.
Twickenham Bridge
Twickenham Bridge is an iconic bridge in central London that connects the popular riverside areas of Twickenham, and St. Margarets on the north bank of the river Thames to Richmond on the south bank. The bridge is designed by Maxwell Ayrton and was opened in 1937 as part of a major new road scheme. It has since become a decorative feature in itself and belongs to the list of finest London bridges along with famous landmarks such as Tower Bridge, Westminster Bridge or the Southwark Bridge.
The striking art deco style of the Twickenham Bridge has been likened to the Sydney Harbour Bridge (which wasn’t first built until 1932) and is one of four bridges in London designed by Ayrton. The construction of the Twickenham Bridge began in 1926, and ended in 1929. The bridge cost £250,000 to construct, which would be approximately £9. 5M today after adjusting for inflation. When Maxwell Ayrton came across the construction site of Twickenham Bridge there was only a support in place and a hole in the ground.
After much discussion he proposed building a series of flat trusses which would be slotted side by side and the concrete would be poured on top. This design saved money and time. Twickenham bridging point is a road bridge across the River Thames in southwest London, England. It was designed by civil engineer Sir Edwin Lutyens, also famous for designing the Cenotaphon the south side of Whitehall in London, and some of the Imperial War Graves cemeteries.
Twickenham Bridge. It was designed by Maxwell Ayrton, the architect of the original Wembley Stadiumand a pioneer of the architectural use of concrete. It connects Twickenham and St. Margarets on the north bank of the river, and Richmond on the south bank. Twickenham Bridge is an arch bridge running north–south across the River Thames in west London. The current structure is the third bridge on the site, with previous wooden constructions erected in 1827 and 1857.
Vauxhall Bridge
In 1811, a Bill was brought before the House of Commons to address traffic concerns in Vauxhall. In 1890, the toll booths on the bridge were removed; originally there were three bridges across the Thames at Vauxhall. This led a local car owner, Leslie Callingham, to propose to the Lord Mayor of London that it would be a good idea to build a single bridge across the river to replace the existing ones. The City of London Corporation drew up plans for a new bridge and it was approved by Act of Parliament in 1904.
Construction began in 1905 and was completed in 1906; it cost £565,000 and took four years to complete. The original red-and-yellow brick bridge should not be confused with Vauxhall. Vauxhall Bridge, built to a design by Sir Alexander Binnie and opened in 1906, is the only road crossing of the Thames between Tower Bridge and Kingston upon Thames (Kingston Bridge). It links Vauxhall on the north bank with Pimlico and Chelsea on the south. The total length is 1,057 m (3,467 ft) from abutment to abutment.
The bridge was Grade II. Vauxhall bridge is a road traffic and footbridge crossing of the River Thames in London. The current bridge was built in 1971, and the second bridge at the site was previously opened in 1816 until it was demolished in 1950. By the mid-1500s locals referred to the area as "the fields" but this later shifted to an area that used the name Vauxhall. Vauxhall Bridge. This red-and-yellow bridge designed by Sir Alexander Binnie links Pimlico on the north bank of the Thames with Vauxhall, a major south London interchange, on the south bank.
Wandsworth Bridge
Travelling across Wandsworth Bridge always brightens up my day. The bridge provides a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of busy London life. It crosses over the River Thames, and is something which I as a child used to visit by train, as it is just minutes away from Clapham Junction station, yet it offers a totally different view of the city. The bridge always appears calm, no matter how busy it gets during rush hour or otherwise.
The new Wandsworth Bridge will be a landmark in its own right, offering spectacular views and linking communities. The new bridge has been designed to improve connectivity, increase the number of pedestrians and cyclists crossing the river, better manage traffic, and encourage more active travel like walking and cycling. Despite being out of the way, Wandsworth Bridge is a very valid installation that crosses the River Thames. It is located between Putney Bridge and Hammersmith Bridge.
The pedestrian bridge, which has been open to the public since 1940, was painted blue in order to help protect it from air raids during World War II. The Wandsworth Bridge crosses the River Thames in London, England. It is close to Putney Bridge and was opened in 1937. The bridge is currently undergoing structural repairs and will be closed to all vehicles and pedestrians until February 2013. Vauxhall Bridge is one of London’s most beautiful bridges and has been a major South London diversion point since 1816.
Waterloo Bridge
The original bridge was designed by John Rennie, who built eight of the arches, each 50 feet wide and 64 feet above the water. Rennie's so-called Waterloo Bridge was four miles long and became known as “the bridge that walks” because it needed to be pulled across when boats or sailing vessels passed through the canal beneath. It opened in 1817 but by the late 1830s had totally fallen into disrepair. At one point there was even talk of pulling it down completely and starting again with a new design, but eventually three arches were saved (destroyed in WWII) and are still used on the present day bridge.
Breathtaking views of the Thames and London. Stunning Art Deco architecture. The best free view of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. There is no better place to see all of this than from Waterloo Bridge. Built in 1937, it mixes 193 intricate iron lamps with block-like proportions and triangular patterns on each side. It was designed by painter Sir Hugh Casson and his colleague Maxwell Ayrton, a civil engineer. It was Grade II listed in 1998 as it’s one of the finest examples of Arts & Crafts architecture in Britain.
Waterloo Bridge. Opened in 1945, the current Waterloo Bridge earned the nickname the Ladies Bridge as it was built mainly by women during World War II (while many men were away fighting). The first bridge built here in 1817 was made up of nine granite arches and commemorated the victory of the British, the Dutch and the Prussians at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The work on the new bridge was subcontracted to the firm Holloway Brothers, which employed 1,300 women between 1943 and 1945.
Westminster Bridge
Westminster Bridge was completed in 1750, and runs between Embankment on the north bank, and the Houses of Parliament on the south (which also has a famous clock tower which you might have also heard of). There are numerous great photo opportunities at Westminster Bridge, including views of the Thames, the famous London Eye, Cleopatra's Needle, Big Ben and other historic buildings north of the bridge. Whenever you cross this bridge, you step back in time; the Palace of Westminster looks like it’s been transported wholesale from the days of Charles II, and stands as a vision of what London must have looked like when this was one of the most important cities in the world.
It makes a crossing of the Thames passageway not just into a tourist hotspot but also an experience of history. The bridge was built between 1837 and 1850 as the first step in a scheme to improve London's river crossings which would eventually see the construction of more than twenty new bridges across the Thames. The buildings of the bridge were designed by Sir Charles Barry, famous for his work on the Palace of Westminster.
If you want to cross the bridge, make sure you get a spot on the south bank, towards the middle of the bridge, get there around 20 minutes before sunset, wait for the sun to dip down slightly behind Big Ben, then start taking pictures. Formerly nicknamed the Iron Bridge, the Queen renamed it in 1994 in honor of its builders and called it the Ladies Bridge. The first incarnation was built by the Romans, followed later by medieval bridges with houses on top, and a stone bridge commissioned by Henry II which lasted until 1831.