If you are thinking about travelling to the UK and you already started doing your research, you may be overwhelmed and bombarded by all the landmarks listed on Google that you must-see. Fortunately, this blog post only focuses on bridges that are mostly within a short distance from one another, and what makes them unique to be considered a worthwhile landmark to add to your travel itinerary.
1. Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge, London, UK. Photography by Juie Desai
I would highly recommend checking out The Tower Bridge. It is one of London’s most famous landmarks. It is a Victorian Gothic style suspension bridge, situated on the River Thames. It is also located really close to the Tower of London, which is how it got its name, Tower Bridge.
Additionally, there were 50 designs submitted to build this bridge, and it took 8 years for one design to be approved due to controversy. Sir Horace Jones, who is a City Architect, submitted a design which got approved. However, he also happened to be one of the judges, which is where the controversy lies.
Construction began in 1886 and lasted till 1894. It took: 5 companies, 432 workers, 70,000 tons of concrete for just the foundation, and approximately 10,000 tons of steel to build this beautiful landmark. The bridge also has bascules, which is a device on the bridge that raises and lowers for both people and boats to cross.
In 2008, the Tower Bridge had renovations for 4 years. The metal parts were stripped from its original paint, and as a replacement, it was painted white and blue. New lights and walkways were also installed, as well as the suspension chains were repainted. The next renovation will take place in 25 years. I can’t wait to see the updates!
In the present day, approximately 40,000 people cross the bridge daily, and the bascules get raised 3 times a day for boats to cross the river. Boats do have to give a 24 hour notice however, to have the bascules raised for them.
My Experience
When I saw this bridge a few years ago, I had mistaken it for the London Bridge. With the golden crown design at the top, colourful chains, and beautiful gothic style, it seemed like London Bridge would be a more fitting name. However, I soon realized that it wasn’t the London Bridge, and that the London Bridge was just a few miles up ahead.
I had the opportunity to climb up the Tower Bridge from the inside and watch people run to either side of the bridge as the bascules quickly raised up for boats. It is certainly a sight to see from above how one minute the bridge is crowded with pedestrians and the next minute it is completely isolated as people scatter to either side. You will even notice how some people are confused about which side to run to, which is quite amusing!
Overall, if you do get a chance to visit the Tower Bridge, I would recommend taking a tour like I did. It’s one thing to see the beautiful bridge from the outside, but it’s a whole other thing to experience the functions and history of the bridge from the inside. There are tour guides who will answer all your pressing questions and show you a video about the history of the bridge. You can book a tour through the official Tower Bridge website.
2. Millennium Bridge
Millennium Bridge, London, UK. Photography by Juie Desai
Another bridge you should check out is the Millennium Bridge, also known as: the London Millennium Footbridge, “Wobbly Bridge,” or “the Harry Potter Bridge.” It is a steel suspension bridge, crossing the River Thames to St. Paul’s Cathedral for just pedestrians.
The bridge opened on June 10, 2000, and was closed just two days later due to vibrations and swaying caused by people walking across the bridge. Some people even literally fell off the bridge while trying to cross it! Hence, that’s where the name “Wobbly Bridge” came from. It took two years to research the structure of the bridge to make sure it doesn’t sway again. Once the architects and engineers came up with a solution, the Millennium Bridge reopened again to the public in February 2002.
Harry Potter fans may recognize the Millennium Bridge in the opening scene of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. However in the movie, the bridge was named Brockdale Bridge. It was featured in the scene where Death Eaters fly over London and destroy everything in their path. Since the scene was so iconic in the Harry Potter series, the bridge has been a part of the Harry Potter Walking Tour.
Also, here’s a quick tip, if you are crossing the Millennium Bridge, make sure you look down. You will notice some of the smallest and most overlooked street art in all of London. There’s an artist who paints pictures on pieces of chewing gum that has been left on the bridge. The tiny pictures cover the entire length of the bridge, and you may even catch the artist himself trying to paint quickly before the police catch him, since it is considered vandalism.
My Experience
Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to walk on the Millennium Bridge, however it certainly caught my eye. It is quite modern looking compared to all the other bridges that are situated on the River Thames. As soon as I took a photo of it, I immediately noticed that the bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral complimented each other very well. Also, the colourful buildings right next to it really made the bridge stand out.
I wish I walked on the bridge and saw some of the artwork on pieces of chewing gum. It is certainly an innovative way to turn destruction into beauty, even though it is considered vandalism. To be honest, I didn’t know there were artworks on the bridge till I came back home and did some research for my blog. However, I do plan on visiting again soon and this time I will keep my eyes peeled for unique things like this.
3. Bridge of Sighs
Bridge of Sighs, Oxford, UK. Photography by Juie Desai
If you ever get a chance to visit Oxford University, make sure you check out the Bridge of Sighs, also known as the Hertford Bridge. It is a small covered skyway that covers two parts of Hertford College.
The bridge was built in 1914 by architect Thomas Graham Jackson, and it is rumoured to be similar to the Bridge of Sighs or the Venetian bridge in Venice. However, that was never the intention. Surprisingly, the bridge has a much closer resemblance to the Rialto Bridge in Venice.
There is a myth however, that the students named the landmark Bridge of Sighs due to the sighs from the students walking to their exams.
There was also a prank played in the past by a student where he or she tied a car under the bridge. Thankfully, the bridge was not destroyed or harmed from the weight of the car.
My Experience
When I came across this bridge, I knew it was unique. I’ve never seen a bridge so small and so detailed before! I also noticed that there was a lot of history behind it as well, based on the stains and the architectural design. It really represents Oxford University. Overall, it is certainly a beautiful bridge and I’ve heard that it changes drastically in different lighting.
4. Southwark Bridge
Southwark Bridge, London, UK. Photography by Juie Desai
Just a few miles from the Tower Bridge is the Southwark Bridge, also known as the Queen Street Bridge. It was designed by John Rennie and was completed in 1819. Unfortunately the bridge didn’t have the strength to carry heavy goods vehicles, which is what the architecture was created for.
Bridge House Estates eventually bought the structure from Southwark Bridge Company, and demolished it in 1913. They then built a bridge, which was later opened in 1921. The new bridge was able to sustain vehicles with heavy goods.
The bridge is made out of cast iron arches and grey granite, which is painted green and yellow. The arches and piers are aligned with another bridge, called the Blackfriars Bridge, to ease the flow of the River Thames and reduce crosscurrents.
My Experience
Similar to the bridges listed above, this bridge stood out to me instantly as well. The green and yellow paint lit up so nicely during the sunset! Also, the Palladian building located right next to the bridge and the red boat approaching framed the photo so well. I honestly couldn’t stop taking pictures! I even managed to snap a photo of a DHL truck driving by, which is the same colour as the bridge! The photo is shown below.
Southwark Bridge, London, UK. Photography by Juie Desai
I hope this blog post helps you when deciding what to see when you’re visiting the UK. Luckily 3 of the bridges I mentioned are located on the River Thames, so you will be able to check those off in just one day. The Bridge of Sighs however, is a bit far. Oxford University is approximately 46 minutes away from the River Thames. So maybe it’s best to add that to your list for the following day. It does take an entire day to see Oxford University, since the campus is so big and there are many unique buildings.
Overall, I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post, and if you’re like me, you may have also realized that bridges appear to be a little underrated in the media when considering landmarks to see. Usually the media promotes: towers, religious buildings, statues, or something else. However, after doing research on the history and functionality of bridges, my appreciation grew immensely for them. I hope the media promotes them more in the near future, since each bridge is so distinct from one another.
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