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History of London Bridge
A bridge has existed at or near the present site for nearly 2,000 years. The first bridge across the Thames in the London area was built of wood by the Romans on the present site around 50 AD. The local Britons built a small trading settlement next to it, the town of Londinium. The barracks and the bridge were destroyed in a revolt led by Queen Boudicca in 60 AD. Following the 1136 destruction of London Bridge, its maintainer Peter de Colechurch proposed to replace the timber bridge with a new stone bridge. The new bridge took 33 years to complete. John had the idea to build houses on the bridge, and it was soon colonised by houses, shops and even a chapel built at the centre of the bridge . The old bridge continued in use as a new bridge was being built, and was demolished after the new bridge opened in 1831. By 1924, the east side of the bridge was some three to four inches lower than the west side; it soon became apparent that this bridge would have to be removed and replaced with a more modern one. On 18 April 1968, Rennie's bridge was sold to the American entrepreneur Robert P. McCulloch of McCulloch Oil. The bridge was reconstructed at Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The reconstruction of Rennie's London Bridge spans a man-made canal that leads from Lake Havasu to Thomson Bay, and forms the centrepiece of a theme park in English style, complete with mock-Tudor shopping mall. Rennie's London Bridge has become Arizona's second-biggest tourist attraction, after the Grand Canyon.
The area was extensively redeveloped during the 19th century and early 20th century with the expansion of the river trade and the arrival of the railways
The industrial boom of the 19th century was an extension of Bermondsey's manufacturing role in earlier eras. It was the processing and trading area for leather and hides. Many buildings from this era survive around Leathermarket Street including the huge Leather, Hide and Wool Exchange.
To the east of Tower Bridge, Bermondsey's 3½ miles of riverside were lined with warehouses and wharves, of which the best known is Butler's Wharf. They suffered severe damage in World War II bombing and became redundant in the 1960s following the collapse of the river trade. After standing derelict for some years, many of the wharves were redeveloped during the 1980s. They have now been converted into a mixture of residential and commercial accommodations and have become some of the most upmarket and expensive properties in London.
London is an area growing fast in popularity attracting creative businesses. It has a wide range of properties from ex-council, converted warehouses to new build luxury penthouses. Construction will soon begin for the build of largest and probably one of the most daring high rise buildings to be in London which should make the area even more desirable.
Places of interest
• Bermondsey antiques market • Tower Bridge • HMS Belfast • London Dungeon • Fashion and Textile Museum • Borough Market
Transport Links – Visit Transport for London for more information
London Bridge – Jubilee and Northern Line
Local Authority
Southwark – http://www.southwark.gov.uk/
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