Westminster Bridge Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Westminster Bridge
River Thames: the bridge nearest the camera is Westminster Bridge, the next bridge is Lambeth Bridge, and bridge just visible in the distance is Vauxhall Bridge (as seen from the London Eye observation wheel)
Carries	4 lanes of A302 and Pedestrians
Crosses	River Thames
Locale	London, England
Heritage status	Grade II* listed structure
Characteristics
Design	Arch Bridge
History
Opened	1862

Westminster Bridge is a famous bridge in London, England. It crosses the River Thames and connects the areas of Westminster and Lambeth. This bridge is very close to the Houses of Parliament, which is where the UK government meets. It's a busy bridge, used by both cars and people walking.

History of Westminster Bridge
Interesting Facts About Westminster Bridge
- What Makes Westminster Bridge Special?
- How Does Westminster Bridge Connect London?
Images for kids
Related Pages
See also

History of Westminster Bridge

When Was the First Westminster Bridge Built?

For a long time, there was only one bridge crossing the River Thames in London. This changed when the first Westminster Bridge was finished in 1750. It was a big deal because it made it much easier to travel across the river in this part of London.

When Was the Current Westminster Bridge Opened?

The bridge you see today is not the original one. The current Westminster Bridge was opened in 1862. It was built to be stronger and more modern than the first bridge.

Westminster Bridge in Royal Events

Westminster Bridge has been part of important events in British history. For example, in June 2012, the bridge was a key part of the route for Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Pageant. This was a special celebration on the Thames to mark her 60 years as Queen.

Interesting Facts About Westminster Bridge

What Makes Westminster Bridge Special?

The current Westminster Bridge is known for its green color, which matches the color of the seats in the House of Commons, part of the Houses of Parliament. It is also a Grade II* listed structure, which means it's a very important historical building that needs to be protected.

How Does Westminster Bridge Connect London?

The bridge carries four lanes of the A302 road, which is a main road in London. It's also a popular spot for tourists and locals to walk across, offering great views of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and the London Eye.

Images for kids

Westminster Bridge by Joseph Farrington, 1789 (the original bridge)
Westminster Bridge and surrounding landmarks at night
The first Westminster Bridge as painted by Canaletto, 1747.
Westminster Bridge, around 1750.
1897 map, showing Lambeth Palace, Lambeth Bridge, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Bridge
Westminster & Lambeth, 1746. Westminster Bridge, opened in 1740, connects Westminster to Lambeth.
The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons by J. M. W. Turner, 1835, with Westminster Bridge on the right
Street lamps on the bridge
The coats of arms of Queen Victoria and Albert, Prince Consort on the bridge
The coat of arms of Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston on the bridge. Palmerston was Prime Minister when the current bridge was opened.
Westminster Bridge By-Laws Notice
The South Bank Lion at the east end of Westminster Bridge