How to join

The Route & Bridges

Over 2,000 Challengers will take on the Thames Bridges Trek following England’s greatest river as it heads East through the heart of the Capital. It’s 25 km – from Putney Bridge to beyond the mighty Tower Bridge –  and each of the historic 16 crossings has a story to tell.

1

Putney Bridge

The current bridge was opened in 1886 replacing the 1729 timber bridge – it is 700 ft long and made of Cornish Granite and is just downstream from the start of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.

2

Fulham Railway

The District Line runs over this bridge. Opened in 1889 pedestrians can also cross here – and was designed by Brunel’s former assistant William Jacomb.

3

Wandsworth Bridge

Known as the least notable bridge in London and opened in 1940 the original blue paint colour was used in the Blitz as camouflage – and replaced the 1873 bridge.

4

Battersea Bridge

The old bridge (opened in 1771) was painted by Turner, Whistler and Cotman. This was demolished and replaced by the current bridge which is the narrowest road bridge in London.

5

Albert Bridge

Famed for being in the titles to made in Chelsea this grade II listed structure is also known as the Trembling lady.

6

Chelsea Bridge

Opened in 1937 and it is a self-anchored suspension bridge. During construction large quantities of early Roman and Celtic artefacts which has led historians to believe it to be Caesar’s crossing point.

7

Vauxhall Bridge

Opened in 1906 it is near a bridge-like structure found in the silt which is presumed to be from circa 55BC. It has been in many James bond movies as it’s next to MI6.

8

Lambeth Bridge

It was opened in 1932, The bridge’s paint scheme matches the House of Lords, which is at the southern end of the Palace of Westminster nearest the bridge.

9

Westminster Bridge

A favourite haunt of tourists the bridge is painted in the colours of the House of Commons. Opened in 1862 it replaced a bridge from the 1750s.

10

Golden Jubilee (Hungerford)

Opened in 2002 to commemorate 50 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign the builders had  to be careful to avoid unexploded bombs and the Bakerloo line.

11

Waterloo Bridge

The current bridge was opened in 1945. It’s predecessor was dismantled and it’s stone sent around the world. It’s name comes from Wellington’s Victory over Napoleon in 1815.

12

Blackfriars Bridge

The present bridge was built in 1869 to coincide with the rebuilding of the embankment by Sir Joseph Bazalgette. If you look closely you can see the river Fleet emptying under the north end of the bridge.

13

Millennium Bridge

Opened for the millennium the bridge still retains the nickname ‘the wobbly bridge’ due to oscillations which have since been fixed.

14

Southwark Bridge

Featured heavily in Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels the bridge was opened in 1921.

15

London Bridge

The current box girder bridge opened in 1973 replaced a 19th Century stone bridge which itself replaced the medieval bridge which the nursery song is based upon due to its rickety nature.

16

Tower Bridge

Built in 1886 as a solution to the demand for river crossings east of London bridge the innovative design is able to open for the tall ships which used to be unloaded in central London. 

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