Historic Crossings
The location of the bridge had been a ferry crossing point since at least the Tudor period. The first bridge was built 1752–53, after a 1750 parliamentary bill enabled the construction of a privately owned bridge by James Clarke. It had seven wooden arches, and was built in the Chinoiserie design of the Willow pattern that was popular at the time.
It was subsequently replaced by a more sturdy wooden bridge in 1778. By 1840 this bridge had become dilapidated and the owner appealed to the Corporation of London to support reconstruction. Among their arguments were that since the bridge was built, the City had created Molesey Lock and Weir and as a consequence navigation through the bridge was dangerous. The bridge was described at about this time as "crazy, hog-backed, inconvenient and obstructive of the navigation".
In 1864–66, a new bridge was built, designed by E. T. Murray. It consisted of wrought iron lattice girders resting on four cast iron columns. The approach was between battlemented brick walls. One of these approach walls still remain on the south bank.
Read more about this topic: Hampton Court Bridge
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