Facts About Three London Bridges
Three London Bridges: Millennium, Blackfriars and Westminster
Mar 19, 2007
There have been bridges across the River Thames in London since Roman times, with the first one being built in 43AD. The most recent is the Millennium Bridge, and to Londoners and visitors they all have their different characters, and fascinating histories. They also offer terrific views, whether passing over them on foot, under them on a river cruise, or looking at them as you stroll the Thameside Walk along the south bank, which links some of the bridges listed here.
TIP
If you want to see the bridges really bustling, go to them at about 8-9am or 5-6pm, when commuters in their thousands cross them heading to or from work.
THE MILLENNIUM BRIDGE
No prizes for guessing when the Millennium Bridge was built, although it had to be quickly closed again when it was found to bounce up and down rather alarmingly when people walked across. It took almost two years for the problems to be put right, and for that reason, and for its graceful stainless-steel curves, it quickly won the hearts of both Londoners and visitors alike.
It was designed by the architect Norman Foster, working with sculptor Anthony Caro and the engineer Ove Arup. The Millennium Bridge leads from below St Paul's Cathedral across the river to the Tate Modern, a thrilling new addition to London's museums and galleries, with exhibitions that seldom fail to cause a stir.
GETTING THERE
Bus: 11, 15, 17, 344
Train: Blackfriars
Tube: Blackfriars, St Paul's or Southwark
BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE
At the northern end of Blackfriars Bridge stands a statue to Queen Victoria, who opened the second bridge here in 1869. It was originally going to be called the Pitt Bridge, after the Prime Minister William Pitt the Elder, but there were fierce protests from London's always vocal citizens, and the name was changed to that of its location, in Blackfriars. The first fixed bridge at this point had been opened in 1769.
Not surprisingly, the name Blackfriars comes from a monastery that was once found here. What might be surprising is that the Queen was booed and hissed when she opened the bridge, by local people whose houses had been demolished to make access to the bridge easier. Exactly one hundred years later the bridge was replaced by the present construction.
GETTING THERE
Bus: 45, 63, 100
Train: Blackfriars
Tube: Blackfriars
WESTMINSTER BRIDGE
For the classic picture postcard view of London, head for the south side of Westminster Bridge, which is actually in the east – though no matter which way the river flows, London will be forever divided into north and south, with Londoners equally divided too. But from that far side, you can look back and see the magnificent Houses of Parliament. Climbing above them is the tower that holds Big Ben, the bell whose ring is known throughout the world. The bell was made in Whitechapel and brought to Parliament on the river.
The first bridge here at Westminster dates only from 1750, as a ferry existed just downstream and the ferrymen had to be placated – and bought off, with £25,000, an absolute fortune in those days. When the bridge was opened it swayed rather frighteningly, and was replaced by the present bridge in 1862. For even better views of London's bridges and beyond, stroll along the Riverside Walk to the London Eye, and you'll see why it's the most popular attraction in London.
GETTING THERE
Bus: 3, 12, 77a
Train: Waterloo
Tube: Westminster
TIP
Westminster Bridge is best in the early morning. If it's a sunny day, the rising sun lights up the Parliament buildings overlooking the river, fully justifying William Wordsworth's famous Lines Written Upon Westminster Bridge: 'Earth has not anything to show more fair...'
*
Read about two more of London's famous bridges
*
