Richmond Bridge

About Richmond Bridge

18th-century bridge in London, England

Richmond Bridge is an 18th-century stone arch bridge crossing the River Thames at Richmond, connecting the two halves of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in south-west London; it is the oldest surviving Thames bridge in London and is Grade I listed. Designed by James Paine and Kenton Couse, it was built between 1774 and 1777 to replace a ferry linking Richmond town centre on the east bank with the neighbouring district of East Twickenham on the west, and its construction was privately funded by a tontine scheme, for which tolls were charged until 1859. Because the river meanders here, flowing from south-east to north-west in this part of London, the two banks are usually referred to as the "Middlesex" (Twickenham) and "Surrey" (Richmond) banks after the historic counties to which they belonged. The bridge was widened and slightly flattened in 1937–40 but otherwise retains its original design, with five arches of Portland stone and balustrades, and it was the eighth Thames bridge to be built in what is now Greater London. Wikivoyage calls it a fine stone bridge, and from it and the adjoining Richmond riverside, with its cafes, restaurants, lawns sloping to the water and hire boats, unfolds one of the loveliest river scenes in London, a few steps from Richmond Green and the road up to Richmond Hill with its view protected by Act of Parliament.

Where:

London, United Kingdom