The Thames from Hampton Court to Sunbury Lock

Hampton court bridge

four bridges

Previously a ferry crossing, the first bridge was built in 1753 and was a seven-arched wooden structure.

 

 

second bridge

It was replaced by another wooden bridge with 11 arches in 1778.

 

This was demolished in 1864 to make way for a new bridge – traffic had to use a ferry until the new one was ready.
A print of the first Hampton Court Bridge

The first Hampton Court Bridge: 1753-1778

the third bridge

The third bridge – a five span iron bridge opened in 1865.

 

The tolls on this bridge were abolished in 1876. You can still see two cast-iron pillars from the toll house of the bridge – they are by the flight of steps at Hampton Church.

 

You can also see the brick side walls on approaches to the previous bridge on both sides of the river – one pair by the embankment wall opposite the end of Bridge Road in East Molesey, and the other by the Mitre Hotel (which was once right on the bridge approach road) opposite the gates of Hampton Court Palace.