London Bridge Alcove

The history of London Bridge dates back to the establishment of the city of Londinium by the Romans, when a timber bridge spanned the river Thames.



Medieval London Bridge was constructed between 1176 and 1209. Buildings were erected along either side and spanning over the bridge, including gatehouses, shops and chapels. These were rebuilt in piecemeal fashion throughout the centuries, with major fires occasionally resulting in more wide-sweeping rebuilding along the bridge, such as after the Great Fire. The London Bridge Act 1756 gave the City Corporation the power to purchase all the properties on the bridge so that they could be demolished and the bridge improved. In 1762, the roadway was widened to 46 feet and a balustrade was added "in the Gothic taste" together with 14 stone alcoves for pedestrians to shelter in. ‘Old London Bridge’ was demolished in 1831 and its components sold off. Four of the original 14 stone alcoves survive across London: two in Victoria Park, Hackney, one in the grounds of Guy's Hospital and one in the gardens of the Courtlands Estate in East Sheen.



‘New London Bridge’ was built by John Rennie between 1824 and 1831. This bridge lasted until 1968 when it was sold to an American entrepreneur and re-erected in a city in Arizona. ‘Modern London Bridge’ dates from 1973.



The London Bridge Alcove at Courtlands is one of two originally bought and installed at his estate by the Hon Heneage Legge, a younger son of the third Earl of Dartmouth at his house, Stawell House in Richmond, between 1829 and 1839. One was demolished when the current blocks of flats replaced Stawell House in 1938.



The London Bridge Alcove is structurally sound but had isolated loss of details and surface erosion. The Portland stone surface had darkened in places by inclement weather and soot contamination. The stone surface suffered erosion, cracks, spalling and pitting, later cement repairs are had failed. There was some loss of detail and minor cracks & chipping of surfaces.



Heritage of London Trust has since restored the London Bridge Alcove. The project involved cleaning the Alcove and repointing any open joints with lime mortar. All missing and damaged features to the cornice string course and the arch edge were repaired, matching the original stone. Corroded metal components were treated and vegetation at the base of the stone raked out, helping the stonework at the low level to dry out. This project has been generously supported by the Wates Family Enterprise Trust.

The London Bridge Alcove lies within the grounds of the Courtlands Estate and public access is strictly by appointment. If you wish to visit the Alcove, please contact Courtlands Estate Ltd by email at office@courtlandsestate.com or by telephone at +44 (0) 208 255 80.