Top 10 spectacular bridges to see in London


 

Image: Wikipedia

London is home to the most beautiful bridges in the world. The city has over 33 bridges; this means that this is a city of rivers, River Themes being the major one. The river has so many bridges and because it cuts through the city, bridges had to be constructed to allow people to cross it at several points in the city. 

Now, let us hum the famous nursery rhyme ‘The London Bridge is falling’ while we explore 10 of the most beautiful bridges in London!

1. Tower Bridge 

Image; Pixabay

This bridge, built in the 19th Century between 1886 and 1894. It is also synonymous with the city of London. The bridge was built to help people cross the Themes River and are a landmark that opens up to allow traffic on the river to pass. The views from this bridge are magnificent- the iconic Tower of London is just next to the bridge. The tower at the bridge is also accessible and people can go up!

2. London Bridge 

The views from the London Bridge are to die for. The original London Bridge was however taken to Arizona in the USA after it was sold to an American. The first bridge was built by the Romans in 43 AD and it crosses River Themes in Central London. The current bridge, which was opened for use in 1973 is made of steel and concrete; the one before that was made of concrete and bricks and the ones before that were made out of timber. The bridge is about 269 meters long and about 32 meters wide and connects the City of London with Southwark. 

3. The Millennium bridge 

Image: Pixabay

Get a magnificent view of St Paul’s Cathedral from the equally magnificent Millennium Bridge in London. This bridge was the first new bridge to be constructed over the famous River Themes in over 100 years and was constructed by Arup Engineers, Foster, and Partners Architects and Sir Anthony Caro in 1996 after he won a competition held by the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Financial Times, and the Southwark Council. The bridge was opened officially for use in 2002.

The millennium bridge which is popularly known as the Wobbly Bridge, because it shook during the opening due to the large group of people crossing it, is one of the seven-millennium bridges in the UK, and one of many others across the world. 

The bridge is only used by people on foot and no vehicles are allowed on it. 

4. Waterloo and Golden Jubilee Bridges 

Many of the workers who built the Waterloo Bridge during World War II were women and that is why the bridge is popularly known as the Ladies Bridge. The bridge commemorates its victory from the victory of the British, Dutch and Prussians at the Battle of Waterloo.

The bridge is also known to have been a major financial disaster because, after its opening, tolls were charged on users for the money used in its construction to be recovered. But, this did not work as people instead used the free Westminster and Blackfriars bridges instead of making the plan an epic fail. The tolls were done away within 1877. Waterloo became the first concrete reinforced bridge in Central London and was also known as the noblest bridge in the world.

5. Chelsea Bridge 

The Chelsea Bridge is simply the prettiest around. The views of the bridge in the evenings are the best. The bridge was built in the 20th Century around 1930 and it replaced one that had been built around a century later. 

The bridge connects Battersea to Chelsea. The magnificent bridge was opened in 1937 by Mackenzie King, the ten Canadian Prime Minister. It was believed that Julius Caesar crossed over at the location when he was invading Britain in 54 BC, because of the artifacts and skulls found at the riverbed during the construction of the bridge. The views of the bridge are magnificent especially at night when it is lit up. There are lamps and lights attached to the suspension cables and poles that make it extremely beautiful!

6. Westminster Bridge 

Image: Wikimedia

The original Westminster Bridge was built in 1750, and the current one was built around 1872. It is the oldest bridge in the city and also maybe one of the most photographed. This might be because of the views it offers the Palace of Westminster when illuminated at night is amazingly beautiful from the bridge, and Big Ben, as well as the Houses of Parliament, are also nearby. You also cannot miss the London Eye from this bridge!

Construction for the 252-meter bridge started in 1738 and was opened for use in 1862. It was designed by Charles Labelye and is London’s oldest surviving bridge and crosses the Thames River between Westminster Palace and Lambeth. The bridge has some very beautiful ornate and octagonal lanterns which give it a gothic and polished look! Dr. Who and James Bond- Spectre and Die Another Day, Mission Impossible Rogue Nation have been acted on this bridge.

An important fact on this bridge was painted green in 1970 just so that it could match the seats in the House of Commons!

7. Albert Bridge 

Image: Wikimedia Commons

‘All troops must break step when marching over this bridge’; look for this sign when you visit the Albert Bridge. It is said that the sign was put up as a warning by mechanical experts who feared that marching soldiers from the nearby Chelsea Barracks would damage the bridge. The Albert Bridge is named after Queen Victoria’s Consort, Prince Albert, and a beautiful Victorian Architecture structure. The stunning bridge connects Chelsea to Battersea on the south bank and consists of towers, cables, and columns that support the bridge deck.

8. Hammersmith Bridge 

Image: Wikimedia Commons

This is a suspension bridge in West London that crosses the Themes River and the initial one was designed by William Tierney Clark. The bridge dates back to 1887 and is the oldest suspension bridge in London. This means that the deck of the bridge is hung below the suspension cables on vertical suspenders. The bridge was however closed for motorists in April 2019 for restoration until 2022. Some faults informed the decision to have the 132-year-old bridge closed. The current one was designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette and was opened in 1887 by the Prince of Wales. 

London’s weakest bridge has been bombed twice in 1939 and 2000.

9. Royal Victoria Bridge 

Image: Wikimedia

The Royal Victoria Bridge joins the Royal Victoria Dock in the Docklands area of East London. It is a spectacular high-level 150-meter footbridge which looks like an inverted Fink Truss Bridge. It was designed in 1995 has a bridge deck, which is 15 meters above water level, is accessed by pedestrians by using stairs or panoramic lifts. The view of the Millennium Dome and the Canary Wharf from the upper bridge deck is magnificent.   

10. Southwark Bridge 

Image: Wikimedia Commons

The beautiful Southwark Bridge does not get as much recognition as it should! It was built to ease traffic in the other bridges crossing River Themes. The bridge connects East London to the district of Southwark. Sir Ernest George and Sir Basil Mott designed the bridge which was completed in 1921 which replaced an older bridge that was destroyed during World War I and had been in use since 1818. The bridge was constructed on the steps that watermen used when accessing their boats and waiting for their customers before the first bridge was built there. 

The magnificent bridge is made up of five arches which are supported by four granite piers and are 244 meters long and about 17 meters wide. The movies Order of the Phoenix and some scenes from Harry Porter have scenes from the Southwark Bridge. The green and yellow bridge consumed more than 13,000 liters of paint!

Several fascinating landmarks are easily accessible from the Southwark Bridge; Winchester Palace, the ‘Ferryman’s Seat’, London ‘Frost Fairs’, and the ‘Clink’.

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !


These are Amazon’s best-selling travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.

Bookstore

  1. The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023 – Learn more here
  2. Fodor’s Paris 2024 – Learn more here

Travel Gear

  1. Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack – Learn more here
  2. Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage – Learn more here
  3. Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle – Learn more here

Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.