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Bridging the Thames
Chapter Index Send this story to a friend | Printer-friendly version | View this story in pictures Introduction
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When the Romans founded London, they built the first London Bridge.
Destroyed and rebuilt many times, this bridge was London's only link with the south bank of the Thames until the 18th century.
Lotta, seen from London Bridge. © NMM
London Bridge was regarded as the western limit of the port of London, and was a unique place from which to watch the ships below.
Tower Bridge , by W.L. Wyllie. © NMM
By the end of the 19th century, the growth of London's traffic meant a bridge further east was needed.
This had to be a special bridge that was able to allow ships to pass.
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Although controversial at first, Tower Bridge soon became one of London's favourite structures and an instantly recognizable symbol of London and Britain.
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London Bridge and the Thames, seen from the Monument. © NMM
