Walton Bridge
Audio guide to this location
Audio Transcript
You are standing beside Walton Bridge, one of more than 200 bridges that cross the River Thames.
People have crossed the river at this point for centuries. Before any bridge existed, a ferry carried travellers, animals and goods between Walton and Shepperton. Nearby Cowey Sale is also traditionally associated with Julius Caesar’s crossing of the Thames during his invasion of Britain.
The first Walton Bridge was authorised by Parliament in 1747. Built of timber and opened in 1750, it was an elegant structure that attracted considerable attention. The artist Canaletto painted the bridge, helping to make it one of the most famous crossings on the Thames.
That bridge was followed by a succession of replacements as engineering, traffic and transport demands changed. A second bridge of brick and stone inspired several paintings by J. M. W. Turner, while later bridges carried increasing numbers of vehicles across the river.
During the Second World War, one of the bridges was damaged by bombing and later restricted to lighter traffic. Temporary bridges were built to cope with growing traffic demands until the current bridge was completed in 2013.
Today’s bridge, the sixth to stand on this site, cost more than £32 million to build and combines modern engineering with sweeping views along the Thames.
As you look across the river, you are standing at a crossing point that has connected communities for hundreds of years, inspired great artists and played a part in the changing story of transport along the Thames.
When you’re ready, continue along the Thames Path towards your next stop.
Did you know?
- Six different bridges have crossed the Thames at Walton.
- Before the first bridge, a ferry operated here for centuries.
- The first bridge was painted by Canaletto in 1754.
- The second bridge inspired three paintings by J. M. W. Turner.
- Walton Bridge was once a toll bridge, with charges collected until 1870.
- The third bridge suffered bomb damage during the Second World War.
- The current bridge opened in July 2013 and cost £32.4 million.
- The southern brick viaduct from the third bridge still survives today.
- Nearby Cowey Sale is regarded as the place where Julius Caesar crossed the Thames.
The Six Walton Bridges
Before the Bridges
Before any bridge existed, travellers crossed the Thames by ferry. This crossing point was an important route between Surrey and Middlesex for centuries.
First Bridge: 1750–1783
The first Walton Bridge was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1747 by local landowner and MP Samuel Dicker, despite opposition from ferrymen and barge operators.
Designed by William Etheridge and completed in 1750, the timber bridge was regarded as an engineering masterpiece. Its elegant wooden arches attracted national attention, appearing in travel guides and inspiring a famous painting by Canaletto in 1754.
Unfortunately, the bridge suffered from rot and was demolished in 1783.
Second Bridge: 1788–1859
Designed by James Paine, the second bridge was built from brick and stone and opened in 1788. James Paine also designed the current Chertsey Bridge.
The bridge inspired three paintings by J. M. W. Turner in 1805. Part of the structure collapsed in 1859, leading to a temporary return of the ferry service.
Third Bridge: 1864–1985
The third bridge was an iron girder structure built on stone piers. The southern brick viaduct still survives today.
Damage during the Second World War resulted in permanent weight restrictions, and the bridge eventually became restricted to pedestrians and cyclists before being demolished in 1985.
Fourth Bridge: 1953–2013
The fourth bridge was built downstream of the older crossing using a military-style steel design. It carried traffic for many years and later served pedestrians and cyclists.
Fifth Bridge: 1999–2013
The fifth bridge was a temporary road bridge built while plans for a permanent replacement were developed. It suffered several surfacing problems and traffic delays.
Sixth Bridge: 2013–Present
The current bridge opened in July 2013. Costing £32.4 million, it is the sixth bridge to stand on this site and remains one of the newest crossings of the River Thames.