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 road traffic and foot bridge over the River Thames between Westminster and Lambeth, in London. It is right next to the Houses of Parliament.

History

Until Westminster Bridge was built in 1750, there was only one bridge crossing the River Thames.

In June 2012, the bridge was highlighted on the route of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the Thames.

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. Yale Center for British Art, New Haven.
Westminster Bridge, around 1750. The proprietors of the bridge had to pay compensation to the operators of the earlier 'Horseferry', and to local watermen
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; Huntley Ferry crosses the river on the site of the future Vauxhall Bridge
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