1606: Hampton & Hampton Court Ferries
His Tears to Thamesis by Robert Herrick (1591-1674)
Listen to 'His Tears to Thamesis' -
I send, I send here my supremest kiss
To thee, my silver-footed Thamesis.
No more shall I reiterate thy Strand,
Whereon so many stately structures stand:
Nor in the summer sweeter evenings go
To bathe in thee, as thousand others do;
No more shall I along thy crystall glide
In barge with boughs and rushes beautifi’d,
With soft-smooth virgins for our chaste disport,
To Richmond, Kingston, and to Hampton Court.
Never again shall I with finny oar
Put from, or draw unto the faithful shore:
And landing here, or safely landing there,
Make way to my beloved Westminster,
Or to the golden Cheapside, where the earth
Of Julia Herrick gave to me my birth.
May all clean nymphs and curious water-dames
With swan-like state float up and down thy streams:
No drought upon thy wanton waters fall
To make them lean and languishing at all.
No ruffling winds come hither to disease
Thy pure and silver-wristed Naiades.
Keep up your state, ye streams; and as ye spring,
Never make sick your banks by surfeiting.
Grow young with tides, and though I see ye never,
Receive this vow, so fare ye well for ever.
1750: A wooden bridge was built. Gilbert White, Selbourne, - About 1747 -
the bridge at the Toy, near Hampton-Court, being much decayed, some trees were
wanted for the repairs that were fifty feet long without bough, and would
measure twelve inches diameter at the little end …
[ Fred Thacker in 1920 commented that this was
almost certainly for the first building, not repair, of the bridge]
1753: December 13th First Hampton bridge (1753-1778) opened. Constructed by Samuel Stevens and Benjamin Ludgator. An exotic seven-span timber bridge, it was a 20-foot wide road bridge and the largest Chinoiserie style bridge ever built (note the pagoda shaped roofs and curvilinear structure of the spans) -
First Hampton Court Bridge (1753-1778), 1753, A Heckel engraved C Grignion
A black and white version appears below
First Hampton Bridge (1753-1778) in picture dated 1794
First Hampton Court Bridge(1753-1778)
1811: "A Treatise on Bridge Architecture", by Thomas Pope -
This [first bridge(1753-1778)] is a most beautiful and picturesque structure: the part which spans the river is constructed of timber, but the two abutments are built of stone: it furnishes a pleasing apearance in perspective from the adjoining shores of the river. The length is five hundred feet, and has seven arcs. The piers are cases of timber filled with stone. Barges of one hundred tons burthen pass through this bridge, by lowering down their masts; they are most commonly dragged by horses, which, on account of the shallow depth of water at certain times of the tide, are permitted to wade up the stream.
[The accompanying illustration is a drawing of the first bridge(1753-1788) in the above print of 1753, together with a cross section]
First Hampton Bridge(1778-1778), Thomas Pope, 1811
1778: The first bridge proved flimsy (no doubt the undulating design was not terribly functional for day to day use) and was rebuilt.
1790: Second Hampton Court Bridge(1778-1866), print by Thomas Rowlandson -
Second Hampton Court Bridge (1778-1866) in 1790, print by Tomas Rowlandson
1802: Picturesque Views on the River Thames, By Samuel Ireland -
FROM Hampton, the approach to the
bridge presents a favourable association of
objects for the pencil. The west end of the
old building, formerly the banqueting house,
breaks happily on the eye to complete the
scene, and it is from that point of view only
that this majestic pile can be introduced
into the landscape to advantage.
HAMPTON COURT bridge, which is of
wood, has a light and pleasing effect, and
was finished about twenty-five years since,
under the direction of a Mr. White of Weybridge ; the former bridge was so ill constructed as only to remain fit for use about
thirteen or fourteen years.
Second Hampton Court Bridge (1778-1866) in 1802, print by Samuel Ireland
The second Hampton Bridge(1778-1866). I do not have a date for this picture-
The second Hampton Bridge(1778-1866)
Krause in 1889 describes a "particularly ugly structure of iron" and attaches a sketch - but this must be the second bridge (1778-1866) -
Second Hampton Court Bridge (1778-1866)
1834: Tombleson’s Drawing of Second Hampton Bridge(1778-1866) -
Second Hampton Bridge(1778-1866) in 1834, Tombleson
1864: The old bridge was described as “crazy,hog-backed, inconvenient and obstructive of the navigation”.
But this sounds more like the first bridge(1753-1788) than the second?
The third Hampton Bridge (1866-1933), a wrought iron girder bridge, was started, designed by E.T. Murray.
1866. Third Hampton Bridge (1866-1933) bridge opened
Under Hampton Court Bridge, 1874, Alfred Sisley
1875: Third Hampton Court Bridge (1866-1933), Henry Taunt -
Third Hampton Court Bridge (1866-1933), Henry Taunt, 1875
© Oxfordshire County Council Photographic Archive; HT2327
Third Hampton Court Bridge(1866-1933) in 1889
1897: Third Hampton Court Bridge (1866-1933), James Dredge -
Third Hampton Court Bridge (1866-1933), James Dredge, 1897
© Oxfordshire County Council Photographic Archive; D230189a
1896: Hampton Court, Francis Frith -
1896: Hampton Court, Francis Frith
1901: The Thames illustrated : a picturesque journeying from Richmond to Oxford, John Leyland -
'Old Hampton Court Bridge' 1901
1907: Third Hampton Bridge (1866-1933), Watercolour -
The third Hampton Bridge (1866-1933)
1933: The fourth and current bridge was built to designs by Sir Edwin Lutyens
1955: Hampton Court, Francis Frith -
1955: Hampton Court, Francis Frith
Fourth Hampton Court Bridge (1933-), 2005 ©
Doug Myers
1610: Camden -
Afterwards [the Tamis] runneth hard by Hampton Court, a royall palace of the Kings,
a worke in truth of admirable magnificence built out of the ground by Thomas Wolsey Cardinall,
in ostentation of his riches, when for very pride, being otherwise a most prudent man,
he was not able to mannage his minde.
But it was made an Honor, enlarged, and finished by King Henrie the Eighth so amply
as it containeth within five severall inner Courts passing large, environed with very faire buildings
wrought right curiously and goodly to behold. Of which Leland writeth thus:
A Stately place for rare and glorious shew
There is, which Tamis with wandring streame doth dowsse.
Times past by name of Avon men it knew,
Heere Henrie the Eighth of that name built a house
So sumpteous, as that on such an one
(Seeke through the world) the bright Sunne never shone.
And another in The Nuptiall Poeme of Tame and Isis:
He runnes by Hampton, which for spatious seat
Seemes Citie-like. Of this faire courtly Hall
First founder was a Priest and prelate great,
Wolsey, that grave and glorious Cardinall.
Fortune on him had pour' d her gifts full fast,
But Fortunes Bliss, Alas, proved Bale [doom] at last.
Alexander Pope wrote of Hampton Court -
Close by those meads, forever crowned with flowers,
Where Thames with pride surveys his rising towers,
There stands a structure of majestic frame,
Which from the neighbouring Hampton takes its name.
Here Britain's statesmen oft the fall foredoom
Of foreign tyrants and of nymphs at home;
Here thou, great Anna! whom three realms obey,
Dost sometimes counsel take - and sometimes tea.
[ Great Anna is Queen Anne. "Tea" used to be pronounced "Tay".
How different our national politics now is -
when we can so happily trust the peaceable way in which our government handles "foreign tyrants";
and now that individual politicians are such great examples of personal integrity ... ]
Daniel Defoe -
if there be a situation on the whole river
between Staines Bridge and Windsor Bridge pleasanter than another, it is this
of Hampton; close to the river, yet not offended by the rising of its waters in
floods or storms; near to the reflux of the tides, but not quite so near as to
be affected with any foulness of the water which the flowing of the tides
generally is the occasion of.
The gardens extend almost to the bank of the
river, yet are never overflowed; nor are there any marshes on either side the
river to make the waters stagnate, or the air unwholesome on that account.
The river is high enough to be navigable, and low enough to be a little pleasantly
rapid; so that the stream looks always cheerful, not slow and sleeping, like a
pond. This keeps the waters always clear and clean, the bottom in view, the
fish playing and in sight; and, in a word, it has everything that can make an
inland (or, as I may call it, a country) river pleasant and agreeable …
…
for as to passing by water to and from London, though in summer it is exceeding pleasant, yet the passage is a little
too long to make it easy to the ladies, especially to be crowded up in the
small boats which usually go upon the Thames for pleasure.
The prince and princess, indeed, I remember
came once down by water upon the occasion of her Royal Highness`s being great
with child, and near her time - so near that she was delivered within two or
three days after. But this passage being in the royal barges, with strength of
oars, and the day exceeding fine, the passage, I say, was made very pleasant,
and still the more so for being short. Again, this passage is all the way with
the stream, whereas in the common passage upwards great part of the way is
against the stream, which is slow and heavy.
The Crossing Place, R Halfnight, 1890
1889: Jerome K Jerome -
… and ran the boat on past Hampton Court. What a dear old wall that is that runs along by the river there! I never pass it without feeling better for the sight of it. Such a mellow, bright, sweet old wall; what a charming picture it would make, with the lichen creeping here, and the moss growing there, a shy young vine peeping over the top at this spot, to see what is going on upon the busy river, and the sober old ivy clustering a little farther down! There are fifty shades and tints and hues in every ten yards of that old wall. If I could only draw, and knew how to paint, I could make a lovely sketch of that old wall, I'm sure. I've often thought I should like to live at Hampton Court. It looks so peaceful and so quiet, and it is such a dear old place to ramble round in the early morning before many people are about.
1906: Hampton Court from the river, Mortimer Menpes -
Hampton Court from the river, Mortimer Menpes, 1906
2000: an otter was spotted swimming near Hampton Court
John Eade punting below Molesey Lock, 1999
[ This was about the last time I used a 20' wooden pole. I then converted to aluminium which I find much more user friendly. ]
Upstream to MOLESEY LOCK
Estuary
PLA
QEII Br
Barrier
Tower Br
Custom Ho
London Br
; Frost Fairs
Cannon St Rb
The Great Stink
Southwark Br
Millenium Br
Blackfriars Rb
Blackfriars Br
Waterloo Br
Charing Cross Rb
Westminster Br
Lambeth Br
Vauxhall Br
Victoria Rb
Chelsea Br
Albert Br
Battersea Br
Battersea Rb
Wandsworth Br
Fulham Rb
Putney Br
Hammersmith Br
Barnes Rb
Chiswick Br
Kew Rb
Kew Br
RICHMOND
Twickenham Br
Richmond Rb
Richmond Br
TEDDINGTON
Kingston Rb
Kingston Br
Ditton Slip
Hampton Br
MOLESEY
SUNBURY
Walton Br
Desborough Cut
SHEPPERTON
Chertsey Br
CHERTSEY
M3 Br
Laleham Slip
PENTON HOOK
Staines Rb
Staines Br
Runnymede Br
BELL WEIR
Magna Carta Is
OLD WINDSOR
Albert Br
Datchet
Victoria Br
Black Potts Rb
ROMNEY
Eton
Windsor Br
Windsor Rb
Windsor Slip
Elizabeth Br
BOVENEY
Dorney Lake
York Cut
Summerleaze Fb
MonkeyIsland
New Thames Br
BRAY
Bray Slip
Maidenhead Rb
Maidenhead Br
Below Boulters
BOULTERS
Cliveden
Hedsor
COOKHAM
Cookham Slip
Cookham Br
BourneEnd RFb
Quarry Woods
A404 Br
MARLOW
Marlow Br
Bisham
TEMPLE
HURLEY
Medmenham
Culham Ct
Aston Slip
HAMBLEDEN
Temple Is
Fawley Ct
Remenham
Regatta
Phyllis Ct
Henley Slip
Leander
Red Lion
Henley Br
Angel on Br
Landing
Hobbs Boatyard
Hobbs Slipway
MARSH
Hennerton
Bolney
Wargrave
Shiplake Rb
R.Loddon
SHIPLAKE
Sonning Br
SONNING
Dreadnought
K&A Canal
CAVERSHAM
Reading Br
Caversham Br
Reading Slip
Purley
MAPLEDURHAM
Hardwick Ho
Whitchurch Br
WHITCHURCH
Hartswood Reach
Gatehampton Rb
Goring Gap
Goring Br
GORING
Swan
CLEEVE
Moulsford
Moulsford Rb
Papist Way Slip
Winterbrook Br
Wallingford Br
BENSON
Shillingford Br
R.Thame
DAYS
Burcot
Clifton Hampden
Clifton Church
Clifton H Br
Barley Mow
Long Wittenham
CLIFTON
Appleford Rb
Sutton Courtenay
Sutton Br
CULHAM
Culham Cut Fb
Abingdon Slip
Abingdon
Abingdon Br
ABINGDON
Nuneham Rb
Nuneham
Nuneham Park
Radley Boats
SANDFORD
Rose Island
Kennington Rb
Isis Br
Iffley Mill
IFFLEY
Oxford Rowing
Isis
Donnington Br
Riverside Slip
Boathouses
Punting
Lower Cherwell
Upper Cherwell
Islip
Head of River
Salters Steamers
Folly Br
Bacons Folly
Oxford Fb
Osney Fb
Weir stream
Osney Rb
Bullstake Stream
Osney Marina
OSNEY
Osney Br
Four Rivers
OLD RIVER
CANAL
Medley Weir Site
Medley Fb
Bossoms
Perch
Trout
GODSTOW
Godstow Nunnery
Godstow Br
Thames Br
KINGS
River Evenlode
EYNSHAM
Swinford Br
Oxford Cruisers
PINKHILL
Farmoor
Stanton Harcourt
Bablock Slip
Arks Weir Site
NORTHMOOR
Harts Fb
//Rose Revived
Newbridge
//Maybush
River Windrush
below Shifford
SHIFFORD
Shifford Fb
Tenfoot Fb
Trout Inn
Tadpole Br
RUSHEY
Old Mans Fb
RADCOT
Radcot Cradle Fb
Swan Inn
Radcot New Br
Radcot Old Br
GRAFTON
Eaton Hastings
Kelmscott
Eaton Fb
BUSCOT
Bloomers Hole Fb
Trout Inn
St Johns Br
ST JOHNS
Halfpenny Br
Marina Slip
LIMIT
Inglesham
Hannington Br
Kempsford
Castle Eaton Br
Marston Meysey
A419 Br
Cricklade
SOURCE?
THAMES HEAD
SEVEN SPRINGS