The Southwark bridge that connects the district of Southwark and the city, stands on the site of its predecessor, which had its own history of glory and failure.

The old bridge, erected in 1819 by the renowned engineer John Rennie the elder, immediately became the object of universal admiration. Contemporaries said that he was a charming, fabulous, graceful, and now, after opening it, France can continue to boast only in the number of its bridges, but not their size, brilliance and high cost.

The bridge, which immediately started to call the "Iron" (unlike "Stone" – London), was really innovative. Its Central arch length of 73 meters was considered at the time the longest iron arch in the world. The construction took more than 5 thousand tons of metal. The external appearance of the bridge was typically British – a simple and strict. No wonder he wrote that it is with humble pride combines antique elegance and power.

The excitement quickly died down when it became clear that travel on the ferry toll. Stood free the bridges of Blackfriars and London, and people naturally prefer them. In addition, the entrances to the bridge was too steep for horses with carts. The cost of construction was paid off. In General, the construction company began to experience financial difficulties even before the completion of the works (though we spent a lot of money on spectacular lighting of the bridge at the time of its Grand opening at midnight). John Rennie even had to sue for his fee.

A new bridge to replace a failed construction began in 1913, but world war stopped the work, and the crossing was opened by king George V and Queen Mary only in 1921. The new bridge by sir Ernest George – arched, with four interesting turrets. It was assumed that in their niches stand statues, niches but remained empty. But there are stone benches for tired pedestrians.

Lanterns in the shape of a cross, mounted on the balustrades, too, does not correspond to the original plan. First, there were three lamps, but thirty of these lights (they are every 20 meters) blinded passing along the Thames court. So in 1956 the "extra" bulb was removed.

In 2011, the bridge updated: arches, balustrades and lanterns re-painted in original colors – green and yellow. It is not too combined with stone turrets, but this color looks more severe than in some other London bridges.