User:Apdevries/Hampton Court Bridge



Hampton Court Bridge crosses the River Thames in London in a North to South direction. It is close to Molesey Lock and the mouth of the River Mole. It connects the suburban areas of East Molesey and Thames Ditton, and Hampton Court railway station in the Borough of Elmbridge on the South side, with Hampton Court Palace, Hampton Court Park, Bushy Park and the A308 road in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames on the North side.

The bridge was opened by Edward VIII, then Prince of Wales on 3 Jul, 1933, on the same day as the opening of Chiswick Bridge and Twickenham Bridge.

Construction of the present bridge began in 1930. The work included demolition of a hotel (the Old Castle), diverting the flow of the River Mole into the river Ember, and constructing a new road. Today this road is known as Hampton Court Way and connects the A308 with the A307 (Portsmouth road).

The bridge was designed by W.P. Robinson and Sir Edwin Lutyens to reflect the style of portions of Hampton Court Palace designed by Sir Christopher Wren. It is constructed of ferro-concrete and faced with red bricks.

About hundred yards upstream of the bridge is Molesey Lock.