2015
It is hard to believe another year has ended. For the first time I am looking back over my travels, thinking about what was achieved, what I hoped to do and what I didn’t complete.
Battersea Bridge – Thames Tour, Bradshaw’s Handbook, no.121
Follow my blog with Bloglovin ‘Battersea Bridge, a wretched impediment of wood, has about eighty years of existence to answer for as an obstacle in the way of our river navigation..’, says Mr Bradshaw. The bridge, also known as Chelsea Bridge, … Continued
Albert Bridge – Thames Tour, Bradshaw’s Handbook, no.120
The Albert Bridge no.1 was commissioned in 1864 but only completed in 1873. Prince Albert had suggested a new bridge would ease the congestion on the Chelsea Bridge and relieve the pressure on the shaky Battersea Bridge. London was expanding … Continued
Chelsea (Victoria) Bridge – Thames Tour, Bradshaw’s Handbook, no.118
At Chelsea Bridge the Thames was apparently so shallow that it could be forded, and some say that Caesar’s troops crossed here. When the first bridge was built workmen found Celtic and Roman remains, and the Battersea Shield, but I can’t find any … Continued
Victoria Railway Bridge – Thames Tour, Bradshaw’s Handbook, no.117
‘..The Victoria Railway Bridge … is one of the most satisfactory bridges spanning the Thames…’, says Mr Bradshaw. ‘…Built on three stone piers, its noble iron arches have an appearance of strength and elegance which, with its level road, make it … Continued
After Vauxhall Bridge – Thames Tour, Bradshaw’s Handbook, no.116
After Vauxhall Bridge ‘…The river now introduces us to various interesting objects in rapid succession. To the right lie the new streets, stretching forth towards the modern elegant region of Belgravia and exhibiting evidence of the wealth and station of the … Continued
Lambeth Bridge – Thames Tour, Bradshaw’s Handbook, no.114
There was an obvious need to cross the Thames from Westminster Palace to Lambeth Palace and this was done by ferry. There were ferries for pedestrians, and ferries for horses and carriages, and it was a lucrative trade for the Watermen, who unsurprisingly … Continued
Thames Tour – Hungerford Suspension Bridge, Bradshaw’s Handbook no.112
‘Hungerford Suspension Bridge, by Brunel, is a marvel of modern mechanical ingenuity.. This is the great central focus of the passenger traffic of the Thames..’, says Mr Bradshaw.
Thames Tour – Waterloo Bridge, Bradshaw’s HandBook, no.111
‘Waterloo Bridge’, says Mr Bradshaw, ‘was commenced in 1809 and opened with great state in 1817 on the anniversary of the battle from which it takes its name. A million of money was expended in this structure, which Canova has … Continued
Thames Tour – Blackfriars Bridge, Bradshaw’s HandBook, no.109
‘Blackfriars Bridge, which is the next reached, has had its architectural beauty somewhat spoiled by the removal of the balustrades and the substitution of a plain parapet….There is a fine view here of St Paul’s…’ says Mr Bradshaw, but today … Continued