Explore Blackfriars Bridge

There’s been a bridge on this site since 1769 when young Scottish architect Robert Mylne designed an elegant classical structure with nine arches of Portland stone. With St Paul’s Cathedral in the background, the bridge became the subject of many 18th century oil paintings, notably William Marlow’s view of St Paul’s from the South Bank. Queen Victoria opened the current Blackfriars Road Bridge on 6 November 1869, almost exactly a century later. Designed by Joseph Cubitt, the bridge has five shallow wrought-iron arches, which are painted red and punctuated with golden roundels. Standing on each of the piers, are thick squat pillars of polished granite, their capitols decorated with carved images. Said to be situated at the tidal turning point of the river, the carvings on the eastern or downstream side are of seabirds, while those on the west, upstream side show freshwater birds. Sitting atop the pillars, stone pulpits provide viewing points over the river. Their shape serve as a reminder of the Dominican monastery which originally stood on the North bank of the bridge - the name Blackfriars coming from the black cloaks which the monks wore.

The Illuminated River artwork for Blackfriars Bridge uses a colour scheme that closely complements the red pillar supports that remain from the old Blackfriars Railway Bridge. Subtle scarlet and mauve hues gracefully reveal the underside of the bridge.