Putney Bridge

Gazing across the Thames, can you picture a bridge of boats, soldiers scrambling across, cannons rumbling? Right here, at Putney Bridge, such a scene unfolded during the English Civil War. Putney Bridge, a vital crossing then and now, has witnessed centuries of history. From a simple ferry to a wooden structure, and finally to the grand stone arch bridge we see today, its story reflects the ebb and flow of London life. Putney Bridge wasn’t always this elegant stone edifice. In 1729, the first permanent bridge was erected, a wooden toll bridge. This was thanks, in part, to Sir Robert Walpole, a future Prime Minister. Legend has it he grew impatient waiting for the ferry, inspiring him to champion the bridge’s construction. This bridge, initially known as Fulham Bridge, served as the sole Thames crossing between London Bridge and Kingston Bridge. It was a bustling hub, but susceptible to damage from barges and winter ice. Imagine Mary Wollstonecraft, a renowned feminist writer, standing upon that very bridge in 1795. A desperate moment led her to attempt to end her life there, a poignant event woven into Putney Bridge’s history. Thankfully, she was rescued. The current Putney Bridge arose in 1886, designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette, the mastermind behind London’s sewer system. Interestingly, two of his main outfall sewers are integrated into the bridge’s design. Opened by the future King Edward VII, this stone giant replaced the aging wooden bridge. It was widened in 1933 to accommodate the growing traffic, a testament to its importance. This bridge, the starting point for the famed Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, stands as a symbol of endurance and history, a timeless landmark spanning the waters of the Thames.