London Bridge

London Bridge was the original crossing of the River Thames since Roman times.

’Under London Bridge’ (1920)
Credit: Dora Meeson

London Bridge has been a historic crossing point over the River Thames between the City of London and Southwark in central London since Roman times. The current bridge, opened in 1973, is a box girder bridge made of concrete and steel, replacing a 19th-century stone-arched bridge, which in turn replaced a 600-year-old medieval stone bridge. The medieval bridge supported homes and businesses as part of the City’s Bridge ward, and its southern end in Southwark was guarded by a large stone City gateway. Before the medieval bridge, there were several timber bridges, with the first built by the Romans who founded London (Londinium) around 50 AD.

The current bridge is located 30 meters (98 ft) upstream from the previous alignments, at the western end of the Pool of London. The medieval bridge’s approaches were marked by St Magnus-the-Martyr church on the northern bank and Southwark Cathedral on the southern shore. Until the opening of Putney Bridge in 1729, London Bridge was the only road crossing of the Thames downstream of Kingston upon Thames. London Bridge has been featured in various forms in art, literature and songs, including the nursery rhyme "London Bridge Is Falling Down" and T. S. Eliot’s epic poem "The Waste Land."

The modern bridge is owned and maintained by Bridge House Estates, an independent medieval charity overseen by the City of London Corporation. It carries the A3 road, which is maintained by the Greater London Authority.

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NEARBY LOCATIONS OF NOTE

George Inn The George Inn is a public house established in the medieval period on Borough High Street in Southwark, owned and leased by the National Trust.

George Inn

London (1926) In 1926 Claude Friese-Greene shot some of the first-ever colour film footage around London, capturing everyday life.

London (1926)

St Magnus-the-Martyr St Magnus the Martyr church is dedicated to St Magnus the Martyr, earl of Orkney, who died on 16 April 1116.

St Magnus-the-Martyr

St Michael Paternoster Royal St Michael Paternoster Royal is a church in the City of London.

St Michael Paternoster Royal

The Shard The Shard - formerly London Bridge Tower is a 72-storey skyscraper, designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano, in Southwark.

The Shard

The Steelyard The Steelyard was the main trading base (kontor) of the Hanseatic League in London during 15th and 16th centuries.

The Steelyard

Walbrook Wharf Walbrook Wharf is an operating freight wharf located in the City of London adjacent to Cannon Street station.

Walbrook Wharf

NEARBY STREETS

20 Fenchurch Street, EC3M 20 Fenchurch Street is a commercial skyscraper in the City of London. (City of London)

20 Fenchurch Street, EC3M

Abchurch Lane, EC4N Abchurch Lane was first mentioned as Abbechurche Lane in 1291 (City of London)

Abchurch Lane, EC4N

Abchurch Yard, EC4N First mentioned in 1732, Abchurch Yard was built on the St Mary Abchurch churchyard (City of London)

Abchurch Yard, EC4N

Adelaide House, EC3R Adelaide House is a Grade II listed Art Deco office building in the City of London. (City of London)

Adelaide House, EC3R

Allhallows Lane, EC4R Allhallows Lane is named after the churches of All-Hallows-the-Great and Less (City of London)

Allhallows Lane, EC4R

Allianz House, EC3V Allianz House is a block on St Benet’s Place (City of London)

Allianz House, EC3V

Angel Lane, EC4R Angel Lane was formerly Angel Passage (City of London)

Angel Lane, EC4R

Arthur Street, EC4R Arthur Street was built in 1835 as part of the improved approaches to the new (1831) London Bridge (City of London)

Arthur Street, EC4R

Bank End, SE1 Bank End was so-named because of the former earth banks built to protect the area against the Thames (Southwark)

Bank End, SE1

Battle Bridge Lane, SE1 Battle Bridge Lane, formerly known as Mill Lane, underwent its name change in 1891 (London Bridge)

Battle Bridge Lane, SE1

Bedale Street, SE1 Bedale Street is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (Borough)

Bedale Street, SE1

Bell Wharf Lane, EC4R Bell Wharf Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC4R postal area (City of London)

Bell Wharf Lane, EC4R

Betsham House, SE1 Betsham House is located on Newcomen Street (Borough)

Betsham House, SE1

Black Raven Alley, EC4R Black Raven Alley ran south from 105 Upper Thames Street down to Swan Wharf, just to the west of London Bridge (City of London)

Black Raven Alley, EC4R

Borough High Street, SE1 Borough High Street was the Roman ’Stane Street’ (Borough)

Borough High Street, SE1

Botolph Alley, EC3R Botolph Alley is one of the streets of London in the EC3R postal area (City of London)

Botolph Alley, EC3R

Botolph Lane, EC3R Botolph Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC3R postal area (City of London)

Botolph Lane, EC3R

Bowling Green Place, SE1 Bowling Green Place is a location in London (Borough)

Bowling Green Place, SE1

Brabant Court, EC3M Brabant Court off Philpot Lane, probably marks the site of a settlement of immigrants from Brabant, a province now split between Belgium and the Netherlands (City of London)

Brabant Court, EC3M

Bridge House, SE1 Bridge House is a block on Borough High Street (London Bridge)

Bridge House, SE1

Bush Lane, EC4R Bush Lane is thought to be named after a former inn of this name. (City of London)

Bush Lane, EC4R

Calvert’s Buildings, SE1 Felix Calvert, local brewer, is recorded as operating here in the late 18th century. (Borough)

Calvert’s Buildings, SE1

Candlewick House, EC4N Candlewick House is a block on Cannon Street (City of London)

Candlewick House, EC4N

Cannon Bridge, EC4R Cannon Bridge is one of the streets of London in the EC4R postal area (City of London)

Cannon Bridge, EC4R

Cannon Street, EC4N Cannon Street runs nearly parallel with the River Thames, about 250 metres north of it, in the south of the City of London (City of London)

Cannon Street, EC4N

Cathedral Street, SE1 Cathedral Street is so-named as it runs past Southwark Cathedral (Borough)

Cathedral Street, SE1

Centennium House, EC3R A block within the EC3R postcode (City of London)

Centennium House, EC3R

Chaloner Court, SE1 Chaloner Court is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (Borough)

Chaloner Court, SE1

Chapel Court, SE1 Chapel Court has hosted The Blue-Eyed Maid pub since 1613. (Borough)

Chapel Court, SE1

City Apartments, EC4 City Apartments can be found on Cannon Street (City of London)

City Apartments, EC4

City House, EC4N City House is a block on Cannon Street (City of London)

City House, EC4N

Clements Lane, EC4N Clements Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC4N postal area (City of London)

Clements Lane, EC4N

Clink Street, SE1 Clink Street is best known as the historic location of the Clink Prison (Southwark)

Clink Street, SE1

Clink Wharf, SE1 A street within the SE1 postcode (Southwark)

Clink Wharf, SE1

Cloak Lane, EC4N Cloak Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC4R postal area (City of London)

Cloak Lane, EC4N

College Hill, EC4R College Hill is named after Sir Richard Whittington’s college, set up here in the early 1400s (City of London)

College Hill, EC4R

College Street, EC4R College Street is one of the streets of London in the EC4R postal area (City of London)

College Street, EC4R

Collingwood Street, SE1 Collingwood Street is a road in the SE1 postcode area (Borough)

Collingwood Street, SE1

Cottons Centre, SE1 The Cottons Centre is a black near London Bridge (London Bridge)

Cottons Centre, SE1

Cottons Lane, SE1 Cottons Lane is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (London Bridge)

Cottons Lane, SE1

Counter Street, SE1 Counter Street is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (London Bridge)

Counter Street, SE1

Cousin Lane, EC4R Cousin Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC4R postal area (City of London)

Cousin Lane, EC4R

Dark House Walk, EC3R Dark House Walk is part of the Thames Path (City of London)

Dark House Walk, EC3R

Dowgate Hill, EC4R Dowgate Hill is a continuation of Walbrook along the west side of Cannon Street Station, leading to Dowgate Dock (City of London)

Dowgate Hill, EC4R

Duke Street Hill, SE1 Duke Street Hill is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (London Bridge)

Duke Street Hill, SE1

East Building, SE1 East Building is situated in the corner of London Bridge (London Bridge)

East Building, SE1

Eastcheap, EC3M A street within the EC3M postcode (City of London)

Eastcheap, EC3M

Eastcheap, EC3R Eastcheap is the western continuation of Great Tower Street towards the Monument junction (City of London)

Eastcheap, EC3R

Embassy House, SE1 Embassy House is a block on Tooley Street (London Bridge)

Embassy House, SE1

Equitable House, EC4 Equitable House is sited on King William Street (City of London)

Equitable House, EC4

Equitable House, EC4R Equitable House is a block on King William Street (City of London)

Equitable House, EC4R

Fenchurch Mews, EC3M A street within the EC3M postcode (City of London)

Fenchurch Mews, EC3M

Fenning Street, SE1 Fenning Street is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (Bermondsey)

Fenning Street, SE1

Fish Street Hill, EC3M Fish Street Hill is one of the streets of London in the EC3R postal area (City of London)

Fish Street Hill, EC3M

Foresight House, EC4R Foresight House is a block on Arthur Street (City of London)

Foresight House, EC4R

George Inn Yard, SE1 George Inn Yard is a yard of unknown antiquity in Southwark (Borough)

George Inn Yard, SE1

Gracechurch Street, EC3V Gracechurch Street is in the heart of Roman Londinium - it runs directly over the site of the basilica and forum (City of London)

Gracechurch Street, EC3V

Grant’s Quay Wharf, EC3R Grant’s Quay Wharf is part of the Thames Path (City of London)

Grant’s Quay Wharf, EC3R

Great Maze Pond, SE1 Great Maze Pond is a road in the SE1 postcode area (Borough)

Great Maze Pond, SE1

Green Dragon Court, SE1 Green Dragon Court ran off Bedale Street (Borough)

Green Dragon Court, SE1

Halfmoon Yard, SE1 Halfmoon Yard lay off Borough High Street, (Borough)

Halfmoon Yard, SE1

Hanseatic Walk, EC4R Hanseatic Walk is one of the streets of London in the EC4R postal area (City of London)

Hanseatic Walk, EC4R

Hay’s Lane, SE1 This is a street in the SE1 postcode area (London Bridge)

Hay’s Lane, SE1

Hays Galleria, SE1 Hays Galleria is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (London Bridge)

Hays Galleria, SE1

Henriette Raphael House, SE1 Henriette Raphael House is a block on Talbot Yard (Borough)

Henriette Raphael House, SE1

Horseshoe Wharf Apartments, SE1 A street within the SE1 postcode (Southwark)

Horseshoe Wharf Apartments, SE1

Joiner Street, SE1 Joiner Street is now part of London Bridge Street (Borough)

Joiner Street, SE1

Joiner Street, SE1 Joiner Street is a road in the SE1 postcode area (London Bridge)

Joiner Street, SE1

Junction Approach, SE1 A street within the SE1 postcode (Borough)

Junction Approach, SE1

Kentish Buildings, SE1 Kentish Buildings is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (Borough)

Kentish Buildings, SE1

King William House, EC3R King William House is a block on Eastcheap (City of London)

King William House, EC3R

King William Street, EC4N The northern section of King William Street runs diagonally northwards of the Monument junction (City of London)

King William Street, EC4N

King William Street, EC4R King William Street runs from a junction with Lombard Street to Monument junction from where continues south into London Bridge. (City of London)

King William Street, EC4R

Kings Head Yard, SE1 Kings Head Yard is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (Borough)

Kings Head Yard, SE1

Kirby Grove, SE1 Kirby Grove is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (Bermondsey)

Kirby Grove, SE1

Laurence Pountney Hill, EC4R Laurence Pountney Hill is one of the streets of London in the EC4R postal area (City of London)

Laurence Pountney Hill, EC4R

Laurence Pountney Lane, EC4N Laurence Pountney Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC4N postal area (City of London)

Laurence Pountney Lane, EC4N

Layton’s Grove, SE1 Layton’s Grove was situated off Borough High Street, opposite Little Dorrit Court (Borough)

Layton’s Grove, SE1

Lombard Court, EC3V Lombard Court is a small street between Gracechurch Street and Clements Lane in the heart of London’s financial district (City of London)

Lombard Court, EC3V

London Bridge Street, SE1 London Bridge Street is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (London Bridge)

London Bridge Street, SE1

London Bridge Walk, London Bridge Walk is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (London Bridge)

London Bridge Walk,

Lovat Lane, EC3R Lovat Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC3R postal area (City of London)

Lovat Lane, EC3R

Maidstone Buildings Mews, SE1 Maidstone Buildings Mews lies off Borough High Street (Borough)

Maidstone Buildings Mews, SE1

Martin Lane, EC4N Martin Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC4R postal area (City of London)

Martin Lane, EC4N

Maya House, SE1 Maya House, on Borough High Street, is notable for its distinctive sculptures (Borough)

Maya House, SE1

Maypole Alley, SE1 Maypole Alley was a small courtyard in Southwark (Borough)

Maypole Alley, SE1

Melior Place, SE1 Melior Place is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (Bermondsey)

Melior Place, SE1

Melior Street, SE1 Melior Street is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (Bermondsey)

Melior Street, SE1

Merchants House, SE1 Merchants House is a block on Southwark Street (Borough)

Merchants House, SE1

Mermaid Court, SE1 Mermaid Court is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (Borough)

Mermaid Court, SE1

Miles Lane, EC4R Miles Lane once ran north from Upper Thames Street (City of London)

Miles Lane, EC4R

Minerva House, SE1 Minerva House is a block on Montague Close (Southwark)

Minerva House, SE1

Montague Close, SE1 Montague Close is a street close to London Bridge (Southwark)

Montague Close, SE1

Monument Street, EC3R Monument Street is one of the streets of London in the EC3R postal area (City of London)

Monument Street, EC3R

Nag’s Head Yard, SE1 The alley name seems to have fallen out of favour in recent years, though it still exists (Borough)

Nag’s Head Yard, SE1

New Hunt’s House, SE1 New Hunt’s House is a block on Newcomen Street (Borough)

New Hunt’s House, SE1

Newcomen Street, SE1 Newcomen Street is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (Borough)

Newcomen Street, SE1

Nicholas House, EC4R Nicholas House is a block on Laurence Pountney Hill (City of London)

Nicholas House, EC4R

Nicholas Lane, EC4N Nicholas Lane has two non-contiguous sections, separated by King William Street (City of London)

Nicholas Lane, EC4N

Northern and Shell Building, EC3R Northern and Shell Building at 10 Lower Thames Street - the headquarters of Express newspapers (City of London)

Northern and Shell Building, EC3R

Northfleet House, SE1 Northfleet House is a block on Newcomen Street (Borough)

Northfleet House, SE1

Nuffield House, SE1 Nuffield House is a block on Newcomen Street (Borough)

Nuffield House, SE1

Ocean House, EC4R Ocean House is a block on Cousin Lane (City of London)

Ocean House, EC4R

Old Billingsgate Walk, EC3R Old Billingsgate Walk is part of the Thames Path (City of London)

Old Billingsgate Walk, EC3R

Old Guy’s House, SE1 Old Guy’s House is a block on St Thomas Street (Borough)

Old Guy’s House, SE1

Oystergate Walk, EC4R Oystergate Walk is one of the streets of London in the EC4R postal area (City of London)

Oystergate Walk, EC4R

Oystergate Walk, SE1 Oystergate Walk is a road in the SE1 postcode area (Borough)

Oystergate Walk, SE1

Peek House, EC3 Peek House can be found on Eastcheap (City of London)

Peek House, EC3

Peek House, EC3M Peek House is a block on Eastcheap (City of London)

Peek House, EC3M

Peninsular House, EC3R Peninsular House is a block on Monument Street (City of London)

Peninsular House, EC3R

Philpot Lane, EC3M Philpot Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC3M postal area (City of London)

Philpot Lane, EC3M

Plantain Gardens, EC3M A street within the EC3V postcode (City of London)

Plantain Gardens, EC3M

Plantain Gardens, EC3M A street within the EC3V postcode (City of London)

Plantain Gardens, EC3M

Plough Court, EC4R Plough Court was named for the Plough tavern which stood here (City of London)

Plough Court, EC4R

Pountney Hill House, EC4R Pountney Hill House is a building on Laurence Pountney Hill (City of London)

Pountney Hill House, EC4R

Providian House, EC3R A block within the EC3R postcode (City of London)

Providian House, EC3R

Pudding Lane, EC3R Pudding Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC3R postal area (City of London)

Pudding Lane, EC3R

Queen Street Place, EC4R Queen Street Place is a location in London (City of London)

Queen Street Place, EC4R

Queen Street, EC4R Queen Street is a street in the City of London which runs between Upper Thames Street and Cheapside (City of London)

Queen Street, EC4R

Queen’s Head Yard, SE1 Queen’s Head Yard is a road in the SE1 postcode area (Borough)

Queen’s Head Yard, SE1

Railway Approach, SE1 Railway Approach is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (London Bridge)

Railway Approach, SE1

Regis House, EC4 Regis House is a block on King William Street (City of London)

Regis House, EC4

Regis House, EC4R Regis House is a block on King William Street (City of London)

Regis House, EC4R

Religare House, EC4N Religare House is a block on Cannon Street (City of London)

Religare House, EC4N

Riverbank House, EC4R Riverbank House is sited on Angel Lane (City of London)

Riverbank House, EC4R

Riverside Walk East, EC3R Riverside Walk East runs down to the Thames from Lower Thames Street (City of London)

Riverside Walk East, EC3R

Rochester Walk, SE1 A street within the SE1 postcode (Borough)

Rochester Walk, SE1

Rood Lane, EC3M Rood Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC3M postal area (City of London)

Rood Lane, EC3M

Shard Arcade, SE1 A street within the SE1 postcode (London Bridge)

Shard Arcade, SE1

Shepherd’s House, SE1 Shepherd’s House is a building on Beak Alley (Borough)

Shepherd’s House, SE1

Shipwright Yard, SE1 Shipwright Yard is a road in the SE1 postcode area (London Bridge)

Shipwright Yard, SE1

Sky Garden, EC3M Sky Garden is a location in London (City of London)

Sky Garden, EC3M

Snowsfields, SE1 Snowsfields runs east-west across the western section of Bermondsey (Bermondsey)

Snowsfields, SE1

Soho Wharf, SE1 Soho Wharf is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (Southwark)

Soho Wharf, SE1

St Clement’s House, EC4N St Clement’s House is a block on Clement’s Lane (City of London)

St Clement’s House, EC4N

St Georges Lane, EC3R St Georges Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC3R postal area (City of London)

St Georges Lane, EC3R

St Magnus House, EC3 St Magnus House is a block on Lower Thames Street (City of London)

St Magnus House, EC3

St Mary Abchurch House, EC4N St Mary Abchurch House is a block on Cannon Street (City of London)

St Mary Abchurch House, EC4N

St Mary At Hill, EC3R St Mary At Hill is one of the streets of London in the EC3R postal area (City of London)

St Mary At Hill, EC3R

St Olaf House, SE1 St Olaf House is a block on Tooley Street (London Bridge)

St Olaf House, SE1

St Thomas Street, SE1 St Thomas Street is an extremely old thoroughfare (Borough)

St Thomas Street, SE1

Stainer Street, SE1 Stainer Street is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (London Bridge)

Stainer Street, SE1

Stoney Street, SE1 Stoney Street is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (Borough)

Stoney Street, SE1

Suffolk Lane, EC4R Suffolk Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC4R postal area (City of London)

Suffolk Lane, EC4R

Swan Lane, EC4R Swan Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC4R postal area (City of London)

Swan Lane, EC4R

Talbot Court, EC3V Talbot Court was next to the Talbot Inn until the Great Fire of London (City of London)

Talbot Court, EC3V

Talbot Yard, SE1 Talbot Yard used to host one of the most famous inns in English literature (Borough)

Talbot Yard, SE1

Thames House, SE1 Thames House can be found on Park Street (Southwark)

Thames House, SE1

The Hop Exchange, SE1 A street within the SE1 postcode (Borough)

The Hop Exchange, SE1

The Mews, SE1 The Mews is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (Borough)

The Mews, SE1

The Monument Building, EC3R The Monument Building is a block on Monument Street (City of London)

The Monument Building, EC3R

The News Building, SE1 The News Building is sited on London Bridge Street (London Bridge)

The News Building, SE1

The Ride, SE1 The Ride connected Bowling Green Lane (later Bowling Green Lane) and Tennis Court (later Tennis Street) (Borough)

The Ride, SE1

The Walbrook Building, EC4N The Walbrook Building is a building on Walbrook (City of London)

The Walbrook Building, EC4N

Three Cranes Wharf, EC4R Three Cranes Wharf is one of the streets of London in the EC4R postal area (City of London)

Three Cranes Wharf, EC4R

Three Crown Square, SE1 Three Crown Square is an official address within Borough Market (Borough)

Three Crown Square, SE1

Two London Bridge, SE1 A street within the SE1 postcode (London Bridge)

Two London Bridge, SE1

Upper Thames Street, EC4R Upper Thames Street is one of the streets of London in the EC4R postal area (City of London)

Upper Thames Street, EC4R

Vestry House, EC4R Residential block (City of London)

Vestry House, EC4R

Victor Wharf, SE1 A street within the SE1 postcode (Southwark)

Victor Wharf, SE1

Vinegar Yard, SE1 Vinegar distilling was a common local trade from the 18th century onwards (Bermondsey)

Vinegar Yard, SE1

White Hart Yard, SE1 White Hart Yard leads off Borough High Street (Borough)

White Hart Yard, SE1

Whttington House, EC4R Whttington House can be found on College Hill (City of London)

Whttington House, EC4R

Winchester Square, SE1 Winchester Square is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (Southwark)

Winchester Square, SE1

Winchester Walk, SE1 Winchester Walk is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area (Southwark)

Winchester Walk, SE1

Winchester Wharf, SE1 A street within the SE1 postcode (Southwark)

Winchester Wharf, SE1

Wolfson House, SE1 Wolfson House is a block on Weston Street (Bermondsey)

Wolfson House, SE1

XL House, EC3V XL House is a block on Gracechurch Street (City of London)

XL House, EC3V

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