A paddle steamer and other shipping before London Bridge with St. Paul's Cathedral beyond

When old London Bridge, one of the most remarkable medieval structures in England, was finally condemned at the end of the eighteenth century, several architects submitted schemes - most notably the vast cast-iron single-span arch proposed by Thomas Telford - which were rejected as impractical. In the event, the new bridge was built by Sir John Rennie to the design prepared by his father, also Sir John, who had died in 1821. Building of the graceful five-arched stone bridge began in 1823 and was officially openened by King William IV and Queen Adelaide on 1st August 1831. Surviving until demolished in the early 1970's, the bridge was sold and re-erected at Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where it still stands.