Millennium Bridge, London

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Millennium Bridge, London

Millennium Bridge, London

The Millennium Bridge—London’s bold leap into the 21st century, and quite literally, a wobbly one.

This sleek steel span holds not one, not two, but three distinctions. First, it’s the youngest of the Thames crossings. Second, it’s the only bridge in London where cars are banished—only pedestrians, photographers, and the occasional rollerblader. And third? It set a record for the fastest closure in UK bridge history. Opened with great fanfare... then swiftly shut down just two days later because, well, it couldn’t handle people's excitement. Or their footsteps...

Designed to mark the year 2000, the bridge was formally inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II as the winning brainchild of Foster & Partners and Ove Arup & Partners—those clever folks you call when you want something to be both futuristic and structurally sound. Stretching 325 meters (or 1060+ feet), it tiptoes across the Thames with eight low-slung suspension cables (tensioned to exert a formidable 2000-ton force against the sturdy piers rooted on each bank) that don’t dare obstruct your Insta-worthy shot of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Indeed, as a pedestrian-only portal between the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe on one end, and the mighty dome of St. Paul’s on the other, the views it affords are truly a chef’s kiss.

Of course, its opening-day wobble—thanks to 90,000 enthusiastic pedestrians striding in unintentional unison—earned it the affectionate moniker “The Wobbly Bridge.” But fear not: engineers came to the rescue with over 50 high-tech dampers and stabilizers galore, and by 2002, the bridge was back in action, shimmy-free.

Speaking of dramatic comebacks—yes, that was the very bridge you saw disintegrating in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Death Eaters swoop in, chaos erupts, and the Millennium Bridge bends like a paperclip. Don’t worry, though—it was all movie magic. The real bridge stood firm and survived the scene unscathed, unlike its fictional counterpart.

Tip:
Wear good walking shoes, bring a raincoat (because it's London), and don’t forget to glance down—sometimes there are funky little art stickers underfoot. Because, again, this is London, and even the pavement might be making a statement.

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Millennium Bridge on Map

Sight Name: Millennium Bridge
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in London, England

Create Your Own Walk in London

Create Your Own Walk in London

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South Bank Walking Tour

South Bank Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Shakespeare's London Walking Tour

Shakespeare's London Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Covent Garden Walking Tour

Covent Garden Walking Tour

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Once a slum area, today the north of the district is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials. Both places offer...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Harry Potter Walking Tour II

Harry Potter Walking Tour II

The Harry Potter movies and London go together like Butterbeer and a cold winter night at Hogsmeade. While much of the magical world was brought to life with computer-generated images and studio sets, quite a few iconic scenes were filmed right in the heart of the British capital, transforming ordinary city spots into wizarding landmarks. Here's a look at six more London locations where the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Kensington/Knightsbridge Walking Tour

Kensington/Knightsbridge Walking Tour

Situated just below Hyde Park, Knightsbridge and South Kensington are two adjacent neighborhoods with grand Victorian homes and leafy garden squares. Home to London’s most expensive homes, Knightsbridge has some of the highest density of millionaires in the world. This is clearly reflected in the selection of stores & restaurants in the area, including the famous Harvey Nichols and Harrods...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Beatles London Walking Tour

Beatles London Walking Tour

The Beatles, often hailed as one of the most influential bands in music history, began their journey in Liverpool in 1960, but it was in London that they truly became global icons. While Liverpool gave them their start, the British capital became their professional playground during the peak of Beatlemania. From recording sessions and business deals to public performances and personal milestones,...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles

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