For hundreds of years, London Bridge was the one technique to get throughout the Thames (besides by boat, or except you wished to journey to Kingston) – so that you is likely to be shocked to be advised that visiting this historic spot is considered one of my prime issues to not do in London.
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Sure, it’d nonetheless be a significant bridge to cross the Thames, it’s even impressed a nursery rhyme (‘London Bridge is falling down’) however on a listing of what to not do in London as a vacationer, visiting London Bridge comes up excessive.
So for those who’re questioning why you shouldn’t go to London Bridge, learn on (plus I’ve received a number of causes you would possibly nonetheless wish to hold it in your London itinerary).
London Bridge will not be Tower Bridge
The large mistake that lots of people make is assuming that the long-lasting Tower Bridge, with its eye-catching blue and white paint, is definitely referred to as London Bridge.
Regardless of being London’s most well-known bridge, it’s very undoubtedly not London Bridge although.
Unsurprisingly Tower Bridge options on a whole lot of customer wishlists – it seems to be nice, there’s an opportunity you would possibly see the bridge raise, and you may even go inside.
Get a reduction on tickets for Tower Bridge Expertise for those who e-book by way of by way of my hyperlink, utilizing the code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Wander alongside the glass flooring whilst you’re in there, benefit from the view alongside the river from the excessive degree, go to the engine rooms and study extra concerning the bridge’s historical past – do you know, it hasn’t all the time been painted this color…?
There’s additionally plenty of household actions to take pleasure in, with further enjoyable throughout most college holidays, plus Tower Bridge even has its personal set of books for teenagers, concerning the Tower Bridge Cat.
Sale
The Tower Bridge Cat
- Tee Dobinson (Creator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 38 Pages – 05/18/2018 (Publication Date) – Baizdon (Writer)
London Bridge is basically uninteresting
Amongst London’s string of bridges, the town has some enticing and crowd pleasing ones, fairly other than Tower Bridge.
However London Bridge isn’t even very ornamental by London bridge requirements, only a fairly boring previous, gray, concrete bridge.
Head alongside the river and also you’ve received the crimson and white paint of Blackfriars Bridge with its sleek arches, the modern traces of the Millennium Bridge, Westminster Bridge’s pale inexperienced paint to call only a few…
Albert Bridge even lights up at night time, with 4 thousand lightbulbs illuminating at nightfall every day, and a few historic tollbooths on the finish.
London Bridge will not be very previous
The present London Bridge opened in 1973, which makes the present one London’s latest bridge (except the pedestrianised Millennium Bridge and Golden Jubilee Bridge).
The earlier model, which dated again to the 1830s, was offered to an American entrepreneur and now stands in Lake Havasu (or, the outside blocks do, at the least) because it was not sturdy sufficient to help London’s elevated visitors.
The city legend that the client thought he was getting Tower Bridge and ended up with London Bridge is simply a delusion although – ‘New London Bridge’ because it was identified, was particularly bought to attempt to appeal to guests to the world and to encourage them to purchase property.
Why you need to go to London Bridge
Purchase this level, you’re in all probability satisfied which you could solely bypass London Bridge altogether – however maybe that’s not solely honest.
Whereas there are many causes that you simply shouldn’t go to London Bridge, it’s not solely with out its deserves.
The views
London Bridge itself is likely to be uninteresting, however you may get some nice views as you cross it – not least of the way more iconic Tower Bridge.
There’s additionally a superb view of the Shard, and you may see a good method alongside the river on a transparent day.
The dragon
Look out for the dragon statue as you attain the southern financial institution, considered one of 14 dragons in London marking the boundary of the Metropolis of London.
The silver boundary markers, usually mistaken for griffins, maintain a protect with the Metropolis of London’s coat of arms. Traditionally, this specific level on Bankside was the place the ‘Liberty of Southwark’ started, with out the Metropolis’s restrictions – and consequently, way more lawless and vibrant than the town itself.
It hyperlinks some nice historic places
Whilst you won’t get too excited by the bridge itself, it’s a great way to get between a few of London’s landmarks.
Close by on the north financial institution, you may see the Monument to the Nice Fireplace of London, whereas for those who stroll throughout to the southern aspect, it results in Southwark Cathedral, Borough Market, HMS Belfast and the Golden Hinde, and Bankside itself, which frequently has public artwork trails.
It’s solely minutes till you attain the South Financial institution with all its vacationer sights as properly.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a stroll to take you previous extra of London’s landmarks, take a look at this route by way of the town to identify extra London sights
To benefit from the historical past
Whereas the bridge itself isn’t notably previous, there’s no query that you simply’re standing someplace marked by centuries of historical past.
In any case, there was a bridge on this level since round 50CE, when the Romans created their first picket crossing level over the Thames, linking their metropolis of Londinium to the roads main south and west.
The primary stone bridge was created within the late twelfth century, with homes and outlets later added alongside its size – and repeated fires which meant it was frequently ‘falling down’ and being rebuilt. The heads of traitors have been additionally displayed right here as a warning to others.
Head to the close by church of St Magnus the Martyr, which stands on the head of the previous London Bridge, and you may see a 4 metre mannequin of the previous bridge.
Constructed round 900 years in the past, presumably longer, the churchyard can also be house to a number of historical sections of earlier London Bridges, together with medieval stones, in addition to a timber thought so far again to 75AD, tucked away inside an 18th century archway.
By the nineteenth century, when New London Bridge was constructed, it was constructed round 100ft west of the older bridge – and the present model stands on the identical web site.
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Photographs: View from the bridge/boundary dragon copyright MummyTravels, all different pictures courtesy of Depositphotos