Millennium Bridge

Overview

The Millennium Bridge, officially called the London Millennium Footbridge, is a pedestrian-only bridge spanning the river Thames in London. It links the north bank from St Paul’s Cathedral to the Tate Modern in Southwark on the south bank. The bridge is an excellent viewing point for some of London’s most famous landmarks and a great place to take photographs.

Best of all, it’s completely free to visit. Families will enjoy spotting the various attractions that line the Thames, and anyone interested in architecture or engineering can take a good look at the structure of the bridge. The design is quite striking as it is an unusually shallow suspension bridge.

The Millennium Bridge is also a good sight to tick off on your way to the Tate Modern or Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, as it’s on the way there.

How long does it take to walk across the Millennium Bridge in London?

It only takes around five minutes to walk across the Millennium Bridge in London. You can spend as long as you like on the bridge, taking photographs or just admiring the sights of the city.

Does the Millennium Bridge still wobble?

No, the Millennium Bridge has not been subject to any significant vibration since it reopened in February 2002, following the installation of dampers.

When it opened in June 2000, it was closed after just three days due to its swaying. The large numbers of people walking across the bridge had a destabilising effect, and people reported feeling unsteady as they crossed.

This swaying earned the bridge the nickname the “wobbly bridge,” or even “wibbly-wobbly bridge,” which Londoners still use today. The bridge is completely safe to cross.

What is the Millennium Bridge famous for?

The Millennium Bridge is famous for a few different reasons. It was the first new pedestrian bridge to be built in London for over a century, and then, when it opened, the fact that it wobbled made the headlines.

The Millennium Bridge is also a popular movie filming location. Harry Potter fans will recognise the bridge from the movie Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and it also appeared on screen in Guardians of the Galaxy.

Is the Millennium Bridge worth visiting?

The Millennium Bridge is a must-visit if you’re staying at YHA London St Paul’s, as it’s one of the closest sights. You’ll also get to see some of the most iconic landmarks in London from it and enjoy the spectacular views of the city.

What can you see from the Millennium Bridge?

You can see a variety of London landmarks from the Millennium Bridge, including:

St Paul’s Cathedral
Tate Modern
Tower Bridge
Shakespeare’s Globe theatre

Cross the Millennium Bridge at night for some spectacular views of the illuminated skyline of the city. The bridge itself is also lit up during the evenings, so after you’ve crossed, head past the bridge to look back at it.

Is the Millennium Bridge accessible?

There’s a step-free walkway from St Paul’s Cathedral to the riverside and the start of the bridge. There is then a gentle, wheelchair-friendly slope onto the bridge and a two-stage ramp at the South Bank end.

The Millennium Bridge in Harry Potter

The Millennium Bridge makes an appearance in the film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, where it was the scene of an attack by the Death Eaters, who were ramping up their activity in the Muggle world. It’s one of the most dramatic and iconic scenes in the whole film series, so any fans of the Boy Who Lived need to add the bridge to their must-visit list.

There are several free Harry Potter walking tours in London that include the Millennium Bridge as one of their stops.

Chewing gum art on the Millennium Bridge

If you look down as you’re crossing the Millennium Bridge, you might just see some of the smallest pieces of art ever created. Ben Wilson, also known as the Chewing Gum Man, paints tiny pictures on discarded pieces of chewing gum that have been trodden into the bridge.

The bridge is occasionally deep-cleaned and repaired, with some of the works being removed. You may still get to see some of them – and if you’re lucky, you may even see Ben at work creating his tiny masterpieces!

Ben has been doing his chewing gum art since 2013, with his work featuring in cities across Europe. He is inspired by the people that he meets and sees every day, and loves turning rubbish into works of art.

How to get to the Millennium Bridge from YHA London St Paul’s

It’s just 0.2 miles (0.3 kilometres) from YHA London St Paul’s to the Millennium Bridge at the Thames Embankment. The bridge itself is pedestrianised with no vehicles permitted (including bicycles), and so the best way to get there is on foot. Walking takes around five minutes.

If you’re travelling from elsewhere in London, the nearest tube stations are Blackfriars, Southwark, St Paul’s, and Cannon Street.