London Bridge
London Bridge carries traffic and walkers between the City and Southwark at the oldest crossing point on the Thames. The present concrete bridge opened in 1973, but a bridge has stood near here for centuries, and a walk across links the City with Borough Market and the South Bank.
Photos
Snehal Mistry
Centuries of bridges
For much of its history London Bridge was the city's only Thames crossing. The medieval stone bridge carried houses and shops along its length, around 140 of them at their peak in the 14th century. It was replaced by John Rennie's granite bridge in the 1830s, which was sold in 1968 to American businessman Robert McCulloch and rebuilt at Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
Today's bridge
The current bridge was designed by architect Lord Holford with engineers Mott, Hay and Anderson, built by Mowlem between 1967 and 1972, and opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 16 March 1973. Like other City bridges, it is owned and maintained by the Bridge House Estates charity, overseen by the City of London Corporation.
Walking it
The plain modern span is less showy than Tower Bridge, its downstream neighbour, but the crossing is worth doing on foot for river views. From the south end, Borough Market and Southwark Cathedral are a few minutes away and The Shard rises behind London Bridge station. Head west along the river to Shakespeare's Globe. Crossing from the City side, you'll pass the Monument to the Great Fire close to the north end.
Highlights
- Current bridge opened by Elizabeth II in 1973
- Medieval predecessor carried houses and shops
- Previous bridge now stands in Arizona
- Free to walk across at any time
Good to know
- Free and open to pedestrians at all times
- London Bridge (Underground and rail) and Monument stations are at either end
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Sources: en.wikipedia.org