Take a walk around Victoria Park and you might stumble across remnants of the Old London Bridge. These two alcoves found on the perimeter near Hackney Wick create the odd contrast of sticking out but blending in at the same time.
Inside you’ll find a small seating area and potentially even a small collection of books for you to borrow from. But how did these fragments of London’s history end up in a Tower Hamlets park?
Contrary to popular belief (well, the popular nursery rhyme to be specific), the Old London Bridge didn’t actually fall down. After it was first built in 1209 it took on an identity of its own as houses and businesses were constructed along the Thames crossing.
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One of two London Bridge alcoves in Victoria Park
(Image: Sumit Surai)
It suffered ice damage in the 13th century, suffered in the Great Fire of London in 1666 and faced general wear and tear by increased traffic over the years before it was eventually rebuilt in 1831.
Traffic steadily increasing on the bridge is behind why these peculiar alcoves are in Victoria Park today. In the 1700s the crossing was widened and many buildings along it were removed.
The remodelling resulted in 14 domes, Portland stone alcoves being erected along the bridge to provide places for travellers to rest – and even to strengthen its construction. According to Atlas Obscura, watchmen were employed along the bridge overnight to prevent passers-by being ambushed by criminals.
After the Old London Bridge was taken down, several of the alcoves were recovered. Two were donated to Victoria Park in 1860 – and have provided shelter to visitors ever since.
Its most interesting feature is that it’s designed to carry sound from one side to another – meaning you can have whispered conversations and be able to hear perfectly. This is due to their former location on London Bridge where sound would otherwise be drowned out by noisy traffic.
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