Chiswick Bridge

Chiswick Bridge is a reinforced concrete arch bridge over the River Thames in West London. It links Chiswick on the north bank with Mortlake on the south bank. The bridge was opened in 1933 as part of a plan to ease traffic west of London. It carries the A316 road between the two villages. Before the bridge stood here, a ferry had crossed the river since at least the 17th century. The ferry closed when the bridge opened. The bridge is 606 feet long and faced with 3,400 tons of Portland stone. Its central span of 150 feet was the longest concrete span over the Thames when built. The bridge has five arches, but only three cross the river. The other two span former towpaths. The design was by Sir Herbert Baker and engineer Alfred Dryland. The bridge was praised for reflecting the Palladian style of Chiswick’s 18th-century villa. Visitors find wide walkways on both sides of the bridge for pedestrians. The southern towpath under the bridge is part of the Thames Path. Nearby stands a stone marking the finish of The Championship Course used for the Boat Race. A painted obelisk on the south shore marks the same point. Rowing clubs store equipment in the northernmost arch. The bridge offers views of the river and the surrounding suburbs.