Set sail with us and uncover the secrets of London's bridges

You know it, you love it. Tower Bridge isn’t just the most famous bridge in London – it’s practically a celebrity at this point. Opened in 1894, this Victorian Gothic marvel still lifts to let tall ships through. If you’re lucky, you might even see it rise as you sail beneath. 

Designed by Sir Horace Jones, the bridge was a solution to the growing need for better crossings in East London, but with the added challenge of keeping the river open for ships. It took eight years, five major contractors, and over 400 workers to complete. 

Despite the nursery rhyme, London Bridge is still very much intact (well, this version, anyway). The current one, built in 1973, is the latest in a long line of crossings at this spot – previous versions have been made of wood and stone, and, once upon a time, featured the heads of traitors on spikes. Lovely. 

The first London Bridge was built by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago, and since then, it’s been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. One of the most famous versions was the medieval bridge, which was lined with houses and shops, making it more of a bustling high street than a simple crossing.

We know it’s not as flashy as Tower Bridge or as famous as London Bridge, but Southwark Bridge has its own charm. It’s one of the quieter crossings, built in 1921, and offers some of the best views of St. Paul’s Cathedral.  

The bridge replaced an earlier toll bridge, which wasn’t exactly popular due to its high crossing fees. Unlike its neighbours, Southwark Bridge often flies under the radar, but if you look closely, you’ll notice the distinctive green and yellow colour scheme which is a nod to its original iron construction. 

This bridge is really doing the most, if we’re honest – it’s both a road and railway bridge, with Blackfriars Station spanning across it. The station holds the title for the world’s largest solar-powered bridge, which is a nice modern twist on an otherwise historic part of the city.  

Built in 1869, Blackfriars Bridge has a slightly eerie past – many believe it to be haunted, thanks to a series of tragic events, including the mysterious death of Italian banker Roberto Calvi, who was found hanging from the bridge in 1982. 

Built during World War II, much of the construction work was done by women  – hence its nickname, The Ladies’ Bridge. It’s also said to have the best views of London, so keep your camera handy as you pass underneath. 

The original bridge on this site, completed in 1817, suffered from subsidence and had to be replaced. The current bridge, opened in 1945, is made of Portland stone, which has a self-cleaning effect – so despite being battered by pollution and rain, it always looks pristine – handy right? 

One bridge, two names? Well, kind of. Hungerford Bridge is the railway part, while the Golden Jubilee footbridges run alongside it, offering some of the best pedestrian views of the Thames. Great for photos, not so great if you’re afraid of heights. 

The original Hungerford Bridge was a suspension bridge designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1845, but it was later replaced by the current railway bridge.

Stretching between the Houses of Parliament and the South Bank, Westminster Bridge is a front-row seat to Big Ben (or technically, the Elizabeth Tower – Big Ben is just the bell!). It’s a must-snap spot, but be warned: it’s also one of the busiest bridges in London, both for traffic and tourists – all the more reason to see it as you sail serenely below. 

Westminster Bridge, built in 1862, is the oldest road bridge still standing in central London. However, the original bridge on this site dates back to 1750 and was the second-ever bridge built over the Thames (after London Bridge). 

Ever noticed that Lambeth Bridge is painted red, while Westminster Bridge is green? That’s not random – Westminster Bridge matches the green benches of the House of Commons, while Lambeth Bridge matches the red benches of the House of Lords. Political color-coding at its finest. 

Keep an eye out for four stone obelisks topped with pineapples at either end of the bridge. Why pineapples, you ask? They were a symbol of wealth and hospitality in Georgian England, obviously! Plus they were a nod to the botanical gardens that once stood nearby. There’s also some suggestion that they were inspired by explorer John Tradescant, who brought the first pineapple to England, yum!

If you’re looking for a bridge with a bit of flair, Vauxhall Bridge delivers. Look up as you pass underneath, and you’ll spot bronze statues representing arts, science, and engineering. 

Over the years, Vauxhall Bridge has been repainted multiple times, with its distinctive red and yellow colour scheme changing at various points. The latest lick of paint has restored it to its original Edwardian colours, so the bridge you’ll sail under now looks much as it would have over 100 years ago. 

One of the narrowest and least flashy of London’s crossings, Battersea Bridge was the last Thames bridge to be built in the 19th century. But what it lacks in grandeur, it makes up for in charm – it’s featured in paintings by Turner and Whistler, so you know it’s got some artistic cred. 

Battersea Bridge was originally a wooden bridge, built in 1771 by the architect John Phillips. It was the last wooden bridge to survive on the Thames in central London before it was replaced with the current iron structure in 1890.