• Zone 4: Putney Bridge to Cadogan Pier

Description

Did you know...?

 • The area where the River Wandle meets the Thames has a long industrial heritage. There were 60 watermills here in 1800 powering many industries including breweries and the densest concentration of coal and coke companies outside north-east England.

 • Albert Bridge, nicknamed ‘the trembling lady', opened in 1873.  The opening was so well attended that it ‘wobbled' like the recent Millennium Bridge, which is why there are signs on both ends of the bridge saying "All troops must break step when marching over this bridge."

 • In the days of the original London Bridge, the river banks were unembanked and much wider. As a result, river currents ran at about a quarter of today's speed.

 • In harsh winters the slow waters at the river's edge froze and sometimes the ice could be up to a metre thick and could remain for several weeks. Thousands came to witness the extraordinary sight of the frozen Thames and a number of impromptu ‘frost fairs' were established by adventurous tradesmen to take commercial advantage of the crowds. The last frost fair occurred in 1813.

Add your comment