Perhaps you’ve heard of a bridge that elegantly divides a lake and parks. That bridge is the Serpentine Bridge. This is no ordinary bridge, it is a landmark with a story etched in stone and water.
The Serpentine Bridge marks the boundary between Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. It also marks the western boundary of the Serpentine Lake. The western half of the lake is known as the Long Water.
In the 1820s, Decimus Burton extensively redesigned the park. John Rennie the Younger designed and oversaw the Serpentine Bridge. This was part of the newly built West Carriage Drive. The drive borders Hyde Park against Kensington Gardens. The bridge divides the lake into two parts. The Serpentine is to the east and the Long Water to the west. The Serpentine takes its name from its curving shape.
The creation of the Serpentine itself dates back to 1730. Queen Caroline, wife of George II, ordered the damming of the River Westbourne. This was part of a redevelopment of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. The lake was one of the earliest artificial lakes designed to appear natural. It became widely imitated in parks nationwide.
Before the bridge was built, the Serpentine gained notoriety. In December 1816, Harriet Westbrook, the pregnant wife of the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, was found drowned in the Serpentine. She left a suicide note addressed to her father, sister, and husband. Shelley married Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin less than two weeks later. The Serpentine also saw numerous other suicide attempts.
The Serpentine formed a focal point for celebrations. In 1814, it marked a century of Hanoverian rule. It also re-enacted the British victory at Trafalgar. In 1851, the Great Exhibition took place here. The Crystal Palace stood on its southern shore.
More recently, the Serpentine hosted events for the 2012 Olympics. These included the men’s and women’s triathlon and marathon swimming events.
The Serpentine has undergone restoration. In 2011, The Royal Parks worked to combat concerns about water quality. The project substantially changed the lake’s hydrology. Boreholes were drilled to supply the lake with fresh water. Contaminated sediments were treated. Aeration pumps were installed to control oxygen levels.
Today, the Serpentine Bridge stands as more than just a division between parks. It connects history, nature, and recreation. As you stand on the Serpentine Bridge, take a moment. Reflect on the stories it holds and the beauty it frames.