Designed by Arup Group, Foster and Partners, and Sir Anthony Caro, the Millennium Bridge is a sleek steel suspension structure measuring 325 meters (1066 feet) long and 4 meters (13 feet) wide. Initially designed to accommodate up to 5000 people at once, its stability issues forced its closure just one day after its grand opening.
DIRECTORY
Millennium Bridge
The Millennium Bridge, a striking pedestrian footbridge spanning the River Thames in London, is a modern addition to the city's iconic skyline. Opened in June 2000, just in time for the new millennium, it quickly gained notoriety for its unexpected swaying, earning the nickname "Wobbly Bridge."
After extensive modifications to the design, the bridge reopened two years later. The original problem was caused by a phenomenon known as lateral resonance, where the rhythmic footsteps of pedestrians amplified the bridge's natural oscillations. To address this, dampers were installed to absorb the energy and stabilize the structure.
Despite its rocky start, the Millennium Bridge has since become a popular tourist attraction, offering breathtaking views of the city's skyline, including St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tate Modern. Its unique history and architectural design have made it a memorable landmark, even appearing in popular culture, such as the Harry Potter series and the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Location
The Millennium Bridge is a pedestrian suspension bridge spanning the River Thames in London. Its northern end is located in the City of London, and its southern end is in Bankside, Southwark.
North Bank Entrance (City of London): St Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4V 3HQ (approximate)
South Bank Entrance (Bankside): Bankside, London, SE1 9JE (approximate)
Useful Websites
The Millennium Bridge itself does not have direct contact details, as it is a public thoroughfare managed by the City of London Corporation and Southwark Council. For general enquiries about London bridges, Transport for London (TfL) or the relevant local authority would be the primary contacts.
Website: There is no dedicated website for the bridge itself. Information can be found on the websites of TFL (opens in new window), the City of London Corporation (opens in new window), and Southwark Council (opens in new window)..
Travel Connections
The Millennium Bridge offers excellent pedestrian access from both sides of the River Thames, connecting key attractions.
Underground (Tube)
- North Side:
- St. Paul's Station (Central line): Approximately a 4-8 minute walk (North Bank).
- Mansion House Station (District and Circle lines): Approximately a 3-5 minute walk (North Bank).
- Blackfriars Station (District and Circle lines, National Rail): Approximately a 6-8 minute walk (North Bank, accessible from both north and south exits of the station, as the station itself spans the river).
- South Side:
- Southwark Station (Jubilee line): Approximately a 10-12 minute walk (South Bank).
- London Bridge Station (Northern and Jubilee lines, National Rail): Approximately a 10-15 minute walk (South Bank).
Train
- North Side:
- Cannon Street Station (Southeastern Rail): Approximately a 5-7 minute walk (North Bank).
- City Thameslink Station (Thameslink): Approximately an 8-10 minute walk (North Bank).
- South Side:
- Blackfriars Station (Thameslink, Southeastern Rail): Approximately a 6-8 minute walk (South Bank, accessible from both north and south exits of the station, as the station itself spans the river).
- London Bridge Station (Southeastern Rail, Thameslink, Southern Rail): Approximately a 10-15 minute walk (South Bank).
Bus
Numerous bus routes serve the areas on both sides of the Millennium Bridge:
- North Side (near St Paul's/Mansion House):
- St Paul's Churchyard (Stop SJ, SH, SK): Buses 15, 17, 26, 76, N15, N21, N26, N199, N550, N551.
- Mansion House Station (Stop ME, MS): Buses 15, 17, 26, 133, N15, N21, N26, N199, N550, N551.
- South Side (near Tate Modern/Bankside):
- Southwark Bridge / Bankside Pier (Stop BC): Buses 344.
- Southwark Street / Southwark Bridge Road (Stop BV): Buses 344, 381, N343, N381.
- Lavington Street (Stop SW, SQ): Buses 381, N343, N381.
River Boat
- Bankside Pier: Located directly next to the south end of the Millennium Bridge (South Bank). Services are operated by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers (RB1, RB6 services).
Car
- The Millennium Bridge is a pedestrian-only bridge. There is no car access or parking directly on the bridge.
- The bridge is located within the Congestion Charge zone and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). Limited pay-and-display parking bays or public car parks are available in the surrounding areas of the City of London and Bankside, but public transport is highly recommended due to congestion and cost.
Cycling
- Cycling is not permitted on the Millennium Bridge. Cyclists must dismount and walk their bikes across.
- Santander Cycles docking stations are located near both ends of the bridge:
- North Bank: Godliman Street, Queen Victoria Street (St Paul's).
- South Bank: New Globe Walk (Bankside), Bankside Mix, Southwark Street (Bankside).
Facilities
- As a pedestrian bridge, the Millennium Bridge has no direct facilities such as toilets, cafes, or shops on the bridge itself.
- However, its location provides immediate access to numerous facilities on both the north and south banks of the Thames.
Access
- The Millennium Bridge is designed to be fully accessible for pedestrians, including those with disabilities.
- It features gentle ramps on both the north and south sides, making it wheelchair and pushchair friendly.
- There are no steps on the bridge itself.
Entry Fees
Crossing the Millennium Bridge is free of charge.
Opening Times
The Millennium Bridge is a public pathway and is generally open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
It may occasionally be subject to temporary closures for maintenance, special events, or in extreme weather conditions (e.g., very high winds), but these are rare and usually signposted in advance.
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Other Places of Interest Within 15 Minute's Walk
North Side
St Paul's Cathedral (4-6 minutes): Sir Christopher Wren's iconic architectural masterpiece, offering stunning views from its dome (requires climbing steps) and a rich history.
St Nicholas Cole Abbey (5-7 minutes): One of Christopher Wren's reconstructed churches after the Great Fire, known for its unique interior.
The Monument (10-12 minutes): A towering column commemorating the Great Fire of London, with a viewing platform at the top (requires climbing 311 steps).
South Side
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (2-3 minutes): A faithful reconstruction of the original Elizabethan playhouse, offering performances of Shakespeare's plays as well as tours and a permanent exhibition.
Tate Modern (2-3 minutes): Housed in the former Bankside Power Station, this is Britain's primary gallery of international modern and contemporary art, with a vast and varied collection.
Bankside Gallery (3-5 minutes): Home to the Royal Watercolour Society and the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers, this gallery hosts changing exhibitions.
The Rose Playhouse (5-7 minutes): The archaeological remains of one of London's earliest Elizabethan theatres, where Shakespeare's early plays were performed.
Borough Market (8-10 minutes): A renowned food market offering a vast array of artisanal produce, street food, and gourmet ingredients.
London Bridge (8-10 minutes): A historic bridge with a modern structure, offering views of the Tower Bridge and the Shard.
Golden Hinde (10-12 minutes): A full-size reconstruction of Sir Francis Drake's ship, docked near Borough Market, offering a glimpse into Elizabethan seafaring.
The Clink Prison Museum (10-12 minutes): A museum on the site of the notorious medieval prison, offering a grim but fascinating insight into London's criminal past.
Southwark Cathedral (10-12 minutes): A beautiful Gothic cathedral with a long history, dating back to 1220, located near London Bridge.
Tower Bridge (15-20 minutes): An iconic Victorian-era bascule and suspension bridge with a museum experience inside its towers, including glass walkways (slightly over 15 mins but a popular combination with a walk along the Thames).
