The Bridges

The River Thames is best known for flowing through London, but it also flows alongside other towns such as Oxford, Reading, Windsor. It is 215 miles long and flows into the North Sea.

There are 12 public bridges crossing the river in the centre of London. Here are just a few . . .

Millenium Bridge

This suspension bridge is for pedestrians only. Construction began in 1998 and the bridge opened in 2000. It is featured in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Blackfriar's Bridge

Both a foot and traffic bridge, Blackfriar's was first opened to the public in 1769. The old bridge was replaced and the present bridge was opened by Queen Victoria in 1869.

Westminster Bridge

This bridge is for both traffic and pedestrians. The current bridge opened in 1863. You may be able to see in the picture that it is painted predominately green.

The Hungerford Bridge

This bridge, which opened in 1864, is a steel truss railway bridge. It ends at Charing Cross Station.

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is sometimes mistakenly referred to as London Bridge and a popular legend is that the person who bought London Bridge actually thought they were buying Tower Bridge. The owner denies it, but it is a beautiful bridge. The bridge, which can be raised and lowered to allow for river traffic, opened in June 1894.

London Bridge was once the only bridge across the River Thames. The Old London Bridge from the nursery rhyme was built between 1176-1209 and survived more than 600 years. A new bridge was completed in 1831. It was widened in 1902, but by 1924 the bridge had been sinking an inch every 8 years and needed to be replaced.

In 1967, London Bridge was placed on the market and was sold to American Robert McCulloch of McCulloch Oil. It was dismantled gingerly and reassembled in Arizona where it stands today.

London Bridge

Lake Havasu, Arizona

London Bridge

London, England

Neither of which are falling down.