Join commuting Londoners and other tourists in ambling along the landmark London Millennium Footbridge, more commonly known by its shortened name, the Millennium Bridge. Bring your camera to capture the superb views of London’s riverside attractions, including the Shard skyscraper, St. Paul’s dome and the hulking Tate Modern, an art gallery housed in an old power station.
In 1996, an international competition welcomed submissions for a new footbridge crossing the Thames, with architect Sir Norman Foster’s and sculptor Sir Anthony Caro’s unique design taking top prize. The bridge first opened in 2000, but had to be closed just a few days later because of wobbling. It reopened in 2002 after extensive work was undertaken to make it more stable.
The bridge is more than 1,000 feet long (300 meters) and was constructed from mainly aluminum, concrete and steel. As you stroll across its spacious deck, notice how the suspension cables are positioned below eye-level, allowing unhindered views of the River Thames and central London. Look for Shakespeare’s Globe, an Elizabethan-style playhouse, at the south end of the bridge and the Shard, a tapering skyscraper, to the southeast.
Discover Tate Modern at the south end of the bridge. This renowned art gallery is based in the former Bankside Power Station. Examine international and British artworks dating from 1900 to the present day. At the north end of the bridge is St. Paul’s Cathedral the church’s imposing dome is one of the most recognizable structures in London.
Return here at night for views of the city aglow. Walk northward for an impressive view of St. Paul’s dome.
Find London Millennium Footbridge between Southwark Bridge and Blackfriars Railway Bridge in central London. Ride the Tube to Mansion House or St. Paul’s stations for access to the north end of the bridge. To get to the south end of the bridge, disembark at Southwark or London Bridge stations.
Reach several major London attractions and take advantage of the excellent river vistas from London Millennium Footbridge.
