Hampton Court Bridge, like the nearby Palace and the area around it, has a long history. The first bridge was built here in 1752/53 at a point where an older ferry crossing was in existence. The bridge was wooden in construction and comprised of seven arches in the Chinoisere style. This is essentialy a Western European design style that influenced heavily by traditional Chinese design. The bridge adopted a style similar to the Willow Pattern seen on blue plates. The the bridge only lasted 25 years before being replaced by a second wooden bridge in 1778, which was a little more robust.
Almost 100 years later, in 1864, work began to replace the bridge once more, this time to a design by E T Murray. The new bridge was built from wrought iron lattice girders resting of four cast iron columns. The approach the the bridge was by way of crenallated brick walls, the remains of one still standing today on the south bank. The bridge opened in 1866.
The present day bridge is the fourth for Hampton Court and was designed by W P Robinson and Sir Edward Lutyens. The new design was created to complement the proportions of the nearby Palace. Work began in 1930 and the bridge is constructed from reinforced concrete with a facing of red bricks. The bridge opened in July 1933, on the same day as both Chiswick and Twickenham Bridges.
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