London - The Thames - Old Engraving

The tower on the left of the image belongs to St. Bride's Church which has been on this site since around the 6th Century.  Some of its most famous parishioners include John Dryden, John Milton and Samuel Pepys.   A popular tale indicates that its spire was the inspiration for the tiered wedding cake.    It is the second tallest of the churches created by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London.  The first being St Paul's Catherdral which dominates the centre of the picture.

The Bridge shown is Blackfriar's Bridge (1769-1869) made from Portland Stone.

Drawn by Thomas H. Shepherd.  Engraved by William Wallis.

Original print was labelled: "London.  Respectfully inscribed to the Righ Honble.  The Lord Mayor , Court of Aldermen and Common Council.  Published March 31, 1827 by Jones & Co. 3 Acton Place, Kingsland Road, London."

Learn more about both sides of the river from two of our Thames Path tours.

The northern bank (left of the picture) is explored in the tour Blackfriars to Westminster:

"This is the second tour in our London River Walks following the Thames Path.  This tour is based on sewage….literally.  We will be walking on top of one of London’s greatest engineering feats – the Victoria Embankment which is in fact a huge sewer.
We wander from the putrid lost River Fleet to the majestic Westminster Bridge and find war Memorials for Submariners, and the Air Force, and a big ‘Thank You’ from Belgium.    We pass a notable Titanic victim, a forgotten Royal  Palace, a tram tunnel, “London’s Oldest Monument”, the beginning of the War of the Roses and the Year of the Great Stink.   Throw in some poetry from William Wordsworth,  Lord Byron, Rudyard Kipling and Alfred Tennyson and you have a perfect stroll along the river. "

The southern bank (right of the picture) is explored in the tour Southbank:

 This Thames Path River Walk follows the South Bank of the River from Westminster Bridge to London Bridge with great views of Parliament, the City, St Paul’s, and the Globe.  We explore some lesser known sites such as Jubilee Gardens, the Clink, and the blackness of ‘Ladies’ Bridge.    We look out to the River to learn how Londoners reacted to a frozen Thames, and learn of the Golden Hinde, Winchester Geese and Oxo. 

 Find both tours on www.obelisktours.com