The UK once held the title of having the longest inhabited bridge in Europe, with houses, shops and even a chapel all situated above water. However, the bridge was demolished with a new one taking its place that’s still standing today.
The 282-metre long bridge was packed to the brim as it became home to many people. Parapets and towers were also a stand out feature on the bridge, which was transformed into a mini city ecosystem in the English capital. The bridge is, of course, Old London Bridge.
The medieval version of the bridge was commissioned by King Henry II in 1209 after he murdered the Archbishop of Canterbury. He built the bridge in an attempt to make up for his wrongdoing.
The chapel on the bridge was named after Thomas Becket and was thought to be the starting point of a pilgrimage to the Archbishop’s tomb in Canterbury. However, the bridge could get pretty gruesome.
Heads of William Wallace, Thomas More and Thomas Cromwell were put on stakes over the wooden drawbridge. Houses and businesses lined the bridge on either side, with a road going through the middle.
Tragically, the famous bridge burnt down in 1212 with many killed. But, it wasn’t the end for the London Bridge.
By the late 14th Century, 140 houses sat on the bridge with them each reaching four or five storeys high. There were public toilets at either end, but rumour has it in 1481 one of them fell into the Thames drowning five men.
The bridge was battered by fires throughout its time, including the 1666 Great Fire. It left the bridge in a frail state, forcing drivers to stay on one side of the road.
Eventually, the buildings came down and it was later decided a whole new bridge should be built. Architect John Rennie won a competition in 1799 to design the new bridge.
It was constructed without the extra buildings but had five stone arches. Yet, that isn’t the bridge that is standing in the capital today.
The current bridge, known as London Bridge, opened in 1973 and is built from concrete and steel. Queen Elizabeth II opened the modern construction, which cost £4million.
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