Richmond Lock and Footbridge

Richmond Lock and Footbridge is an iron arch bridge spanning the River Thames that links Richmond with St. Margarets at Twickenham. The structure combines a pedestrian crossing with a lock system designed to manage water levels during tidal changes.

Construction finished in 1894 with the Duke of York, who later became King George V, presiding over the opening ceremony. The project emerged from the need to manage the Thames tidal range while creating a reliable crossing point.

The lock and footbridge represents late Victorian engineering excellence through its dual-purpose design, combining water level management with pedestrian crossing capabilities.

Visitors can walk across the bridge from either bank and observe the lock system up close. The footway remains accessible year-round, and the crossing offers clear views of the river while walking at a leisurely pace.

From its opening until World War II, pedestrians paid a small fee of one penny to cross the bridge, a toll system rarely seen today. This modest charge helped sustain the structure and remains a curious detail in the story of Thames management.