Bridges on the River Thames
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is probably the most famous bridge in Britain. It’s a combined drawbridge and suspension bridge, named after the nearby Tower of London. Built in 1894 to the designs of Sir Horace Jones and John Wolfe-Barry, Tower Bridge is now over 100 years old. It carries traffic and public walkways, but gives priority to boats, opening over 1000 times a year.
London Bridge
The very first London Bridge was built of wood nearly 2,000 years ago when the Romans were in control of London. When London was raided by the Danes in AD1013, they tied ropes to the wooden struts, rowed downstream and managed to pull the bridge down. This is thought to be the origin of the old nursery rhyme "London Bridge is Falling Down". It’s been destroyed and rebuilt several times since then, the latest in 1973.
Millennium Bridge
The Millennium Bridge was the first new bridge to open in Central London since Tower Bridge. It’s a pedestrian-only steel suspension bridge linking Bankside with the City. Opened in 2000 by the Queen, the Millennium Bridge was quickly named ‘the wobbly bridge’ after people noticed it swaying as they walked across it. The bridge was closed and modified, and the ‘wobble’ has now gone.
Waterloo Bridge
Waterloo Bridge was built in 1942 by a largely female workforce while Britain’s men were fighting in World War II. Because of this, it’s sometimes referred to as ‘the ladies’ bridge’. The bridge is made of stone that cleans itself when it rains, and was the only Thames bridge to be damaged by German bombers in the war.
Westminster Bridge
Westminster Bridge is the only bridge over the Thames that spans 7 arches and the oldest bridge in the central area of the Thames. It links Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster with the London Eye. The bridge is mainly green, the same colour as the leather seats in the House of Commons, which is on the side of the Palace of Westminster nearest the bridge.
Lambeth Bridge
Lambeth Bridge was opened in 1932 by King George V. In contrast to Westminster Bridge, Lambeth Bridge is mainly painted red, the same colour as the leather benches in the House of Lords, which is at the southern end of the Palace of Westminster nearest the bridge.
Putney Bridge
Further to the west of Lambeth Bridge is Putney Bridge, linking Putney in the south to Fulham in the north. Opened in 1886, Putney Bridge is the only bridge in Britain to have a church at both ends: the ancient St Mary’s Church in Putney, and All Saints Church in Fulham, which was featured in the film ‘The Omen’.
Hammersmith Bridge
Hammersmith Bridge was the Thames’ first suspension bridge, linking Hammersmith on the north side to Barnes on the south side of the bridge. The first bridge on the site was built in 1825, and the current one in 1887 to the designs of Sir Joseph Bazalgette. The bridge has survived 2 terrorist attacks by the IRA – the first was foiled by a member of the public.