Hungerford Bridge - New Year's Day 2012
The bridge (1864) is perhaps not as fashionable as some others crossing the Thames. Trains trundle to and fro between Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations, and from a distance it can be difficult to make out the pedestrian bridges on each respective side.
The bridge takes its name from the former Hungerford Market, today forming the site of Charing Cross Railway Station, above which looms Sir Terry Farrell’s One Embankment Place, one of the breed of office developments built above London stations in order to exploit the airspace potential – see also for example Victoria Plaza and the Exchange Square phase of Broadgate (built over Liverpool Street station).
Dickensian followers will note instantly that a little upstream from the bridge was Warren’s Blacking Factory at Hungerford Stairs, where the great man worked unhappily as a boy.
The pedestrian bridges were built in 2002 in honour of the 50th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth to the throne. They were named the Golden Jubilee Bridges, although the name does not seem to have stuck, in contrast to the Millennium Bridge further downstream.
What appeals about the bridge is the views that you can get from either side, and what better than to take a few late afternoon photos on New Year’s Day, after large numbers had converged on central London for the New Year’s Day Parade and to celebrate possibly the only day over Christmas/New Year 2012 when it didn’t rain.
Downstream is the view immediately to Waterloo Bridge and then on to St Paul’s Cathedral in mid-shot, surrounded by the City office blocks that stand like a bunch of security minders protecting a celebrity. Creeping in at right-hand edge of shot is the Shard.
Atop the Royal Festival Hall as sits next to the bridge, is The Cube, latterly promoted as a special dining concept whereby (presumably well-heeled) guests have their food prepared for them by top chefs under the eyes of the diners.
On the South Bank towards the London Eye, families congregated on NYD to enjoy entertainment including a traditional merry-go-round.
And perhaps the most striking view is upstream at sunset, the Palace of Westminster framed in the receding light. And centre stage is the tower that was properly known as the Great Clock Tower, was commonly known as Big Ben (although strictly that is only the name of the bell), but as of September 2012 was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in honour of HM Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Will the new name stick, or will it go the way of the Golden Jubilee Bridges with the tower retaining its popular Big Ben tag? Only time, if you will forgive the pun, will tell.
The author is a City of London and City of Westminster Guide, who runs walking tours in the City and in Westminster. See tabs for further details.