Golden Jubilee Bridge, better known as Hungerford Bridge,
on a misty early spring morning.
The pedestrian footbridge, one on either side of the railway
lines that lead into Charring Cross station, rest on the foundation of the old railway
bridge. This was necessary to avoid the Bakerloo Line that runs just a few feet
below the river bed and also to avoid any World War II bombs that may remain unexploded
in the Thames. The walkways, 330m long and completed in 2002, replaced the old,
narrow and dilapidated pedestrian bridge that had a dodgy reputation.
The view from the bridge looking West towards the Houses
of Parliament.
The Victoria Embankment is unusually empty as it leads up to St Stephens
Tower. It’s not ‘Big Ben’ as most people think as this is just a nickname for
the bell inside the tower. It is thought to be named after the heavyweight
boxer Ben Caunt. In 1840 he defeated Bill Brassey in a fight that lasted 101
rounds. He became heavyweight champion of England on 11 May 1841.
The
Victoria Embankment is also home to the Royal Air Force Memorial. Completed in
1923 to commemorate those lost in the First World War. It is now also a memorial
dedicated to those that died in subsequent conflicts. It was designed by Sir
Reginald Blomfield and the golden eagle was sculpted by William Reid Dick.
This is the view that inspired Monet. Le Parlement, coucher de soleil
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