The Real Story Behind London's Tower Bridge | Bridges That Built London | Spark

[@elizabethannegrey6285]

Once past the texts, an interesting and most unusual look at London, parts of its history, and modern use of both river and bridge. The narrator’s enthusiasm carries the theme.

[@shaynewheeler9249]

Titanic 2 engine cylinder engineering room

[@nigeldewallens1115]

When we lived in London, we used to go up river and pass under all of them tight up to the Houses of Parliament, that memory has and will never leave me! Thank you London, where I was born, thank you!

[@ganeshrajgorakbanshi6179]

Sir you me talk I wish London ❤️❤️

[@dianab8008]

I think you are homesick, going by your text

[@RG-li5zq]

I get the feeling the narrator could do a dramatic reading of a London phonebook.

[@chelseapensioner]

I just thought that I'm really keen to see him film a documentary of bus services in Norfolk.

[@henrikprange107]

A bit over the top maybe!

[@sikandarhussain8849]

@@chelseapensioner 2222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222

[@JCKei-hs7kx]

It’s just going to sound like he’s reading the lotto numbers

[@RichardCroft19670711]

Oionio I o ioo9n iloilo oi o oooooni olio ooooooo9ioioio i9iiooio oil oo onion nooooioiohihoo9io is o o o u uoi o on 9i o oi ioo o l k @@henrikprange107 your family 👪 p

[@LeofromFreo]

These shows and this host are very watchable. Thanks.

[@wayneandrews9298]

he did a very interesting docu on the great war too ...

[@mathare77]

The comments on here are strange to say the least, surely if you don't like history, London or Dan you don't have to watch it let alone comment.

[@theReview1111]

This video is very informative and awesome insights on the actual structure of all the old bridges of London. I admire the quality and detail of story telling of your channel

[@louiselovescrafting6802]

I will never forget the first time I saw The Tower Bridge! I was absolutely amazed sitting on the double decker bus…. Lots of great info!

[@robinvdneut91]

Maybe people accidentally dropped several stuff while ordinarily crossing the river? Just like people use to to today. Maybe future scientist conclude we have a tradition of sacrificing smart phones and millennium bridge was a spiritual place built for warshipping the Godess of electric current.

[@elizabethsheffield6609]

.....very true! and the "wobbly swaying" bridge might be thought to have been built by donations given by the hundreds of thousands wine & beer imbibing Cockneys.

[@jeffholman2364]

...and maybe people really don't drop coins in fountains.

[@Thoringer]

If you want to see how London's medieval London Bridge looked like, you can travel to the Thuringian capital Erfurt and look at the Merchants' Bridge. This one still exists and when you are on it, you don't even see the waters of the Gera river. By the way, the name "Furt" - very similar to English - means "ford" for a shallow river crossing - which in this case was replaced by said bridge.

[@JCKei-hs7kx]

Dankeschön

[@kimberlycantler6402]

Thanks!

[@peterbustin2683]

Thanks Dan Cruickshank for all youve done for London !!

[@jumpingjeffflash9946]

Did the tour of this bridge on a trip to London, very cool. London is a great city.

[@Wandrative]

it talks about all kinds of bridges...

[@jumpingjeffflash9946]

@@Wandrative I see that. The title of the video is regarding the tower Bridge thus my reply is directed at that.

[@Anonymous-wq1rf]

A lovely history of London and its bridges, thank you! We so often applaud the famous engineers and architects; the 'houses' in my secondary school were named after Brunel, Lutyens, Scott and Wren. In my opinion Joseph Bazalgette did more for London than any other Engineer or Architect past or present. To this day 'Sewage Engineer' is considered the lowest form of Engineer but he lead the way by constructing sewers that made London healthy and built to standards such that they survive to this day. Arguably, it was his vision that made not only London but many cities around the world relatively healthy places to live.

[@paulkurilecz4209]

Nobody complains about plumbing drains until they get blocked.

[@garmbryhewwert7059]

Very good documentary.

[@starduck8014]

This channel is fabulous

[@DanTheCaptain]

The narrator is so dramatic for UK standards, but even this is not as bad as American documentaries. I think it just makes him look really passionate about the subject matter. There's no overly dramatic music and excessive and unnecessary swearing or dramatization of seemingly mundane situations.

[@nickmiller76]

In c90% of American documentaries, the narrator says at some point: "Hidden, in plain sight". In c90% of British documentaries, the narrator says at some point: "But there's a problem". Check it out, you'll find I'm right.

[@bliss1633]

This is quite incredible, nothing like it out there, bravo team, valuable work!

[@sbkenn1]

Is he trying to Attenborough ?

[@ericsparks6276]

keep up the great details! Love your enthusiasm and pointing out all the importance of Old World London that people don't even know about from today's generations.

[@marklatimer7333]

How come bronze age posts are still they and roman posts are still good but my garden fence fell down after 8 years?

[@JohnYoo39]

Cus your garden fence isn't made from carved granite and mortar

[@markrowland1366]

1975, I saw a sign for the London bridge from my Greyhound coach window as we crossed Arazona.

[@robertewalt7789]

How about a similar video about the Bridges of NYC?

[@DavetheRaveDinkum]

the brooklyn bridge is my favourite

[@MrPodinarac]

NYC has 137 bridges...

[@Zifiron]

Very good program. Impressive narrator with a very informative way of telling.

[@Adam-McG]

The dude presenting this is insane.

[@raymondbolhuis5819]

Haha indeed

[@fitzgerald3200]

Watching from Jamaica 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@maxmillion1941]

Say hello to bolt from me

[@GK-ui8fv]

Why does this man whispers while delivering the story as if trying to keep the information (sectet) safe from being heard by unintended people.

[@petergregory8864]

One of my Great Grandfathers was a Stonemason and worked on the Tower Bridge. When the first World War started he was locked up in the Alexandra Palace internment camp. All because he was born in Germany. Wars end saw him head straight back to Germany, never to be seen again, leaving a wife and three children behind.

[@williamcomtois6836]

Thats sad. The man had nothing to do with what happend, why did he leave if you dont mind me asking? Was jw.

[@petergregory8864]

@@williamcomtois6836My Great Grandfather was born in Magdeburg Germany and came to UK as a child with his family. He had two brothers the same. At the start of WW1 all German nationals were rounded up and imprisoned. The brothers were imprisoned at Alexandra Palace near Muswell Hill in London. There were some five to six thousand people kept there. At war's end the two brothers stayed but my Grampy returned to Magdeburg where he died in 1956. His wife Kathleen was of Irish heritage. During her husbands four year absence she had a baby to another man. This was probably the final straw for my GGfather. Two years after he left Kathleen died. Leaving his three children as orphans.

[@williamcomtois6836]

I'm sorry to hear that. Crazy how rough a life becomes when a war flares up. You'd think us as humans and being somewhat intelligent creatures and stop the habit of killing one another with wars but it seems history has a cruel habit of repeating, as appose to learning from these things and going at it at a different angle. Thank you for telling me ur familys history and once again sorry to hear the lives those kids had to live after

[@henningbartels6245]

@@petergregory8864 considering all the drastic caesura in your family history ... it is at least good that you know all those details. Best regards from Magdeburg!

[@reginaromsey]

It would be interesting to investigate the dug out material from the pits where they are uncovering Roman foundations. That is nearly 2000 years of archeology.

[@willemerasmus9925]

informative....just a pity you did'nt try to put more adverts. could do with at least 25 more.......

[@sandyronnie]

William Erasmus download Adblock

[@allandavis8201]

Willem Erasmus, I get frustrated by ads as well, but as sandyronnie pointed out you could always use Adblock, but as KZbin is free to use then you either put up with the ads or don’t watch KZbin, alternatively you could pay to watch ad free. Whilst some videos can be spoilt by to many ads they are a necessary evil so KZbin can remain free to use, the old saying “beggars can’t be choosers” fit the bill completely, of course the ultimate option is to simply not use KZbin, your choice.

[@Tom_Bee_]

@@allandavis8201 imagine thinking KZbin was a content dissemination vehicle and not an advertising revenue machine. Some people even think that Google is a search engine 🙄

[@shannono8397]

Since I was a young girl, I've loved the bridges of London, growing up in the U.S. I dream someday to see and cross these. This was filmed so wonderfully, narrated and edited so well, in the opening scene I saw Hammersmith Bridge (my fav) and made my eyes twinkle! THANK YOU very much for sharing this, truly amazing and so well done~

[@peterchilderstone706]

a great bridge,walked"under"many times in late fifties on way from pub ,wascalled -BLUe Anchor- II think,around 1958.regards Peter

[@davidgillettuk9638]

Shannon Oconnell We'd love you to come and visit our bridges, all you have to do first is cross a little pond.

[@56beverley]

Shannon the bridges aren't the safest since terrorism on them began. Thank goodness for Polish chefs! He single handedly struck the biggest blow against Brexit!

[@ganeshrajgorakbanshi6179]

❤️❤️❤️

[@virtualvacations]

This is a wonderful documentary. Thank you for posting it. I enjoyed it and learned a lo from viewing it.

[@Somanous]

Thank you Palpatine for your passionate delivery!

[@johnstrickland3373]

I love. history when presented like this

[@mjc11a]

Such a impressive and informative presentation! A wonderful distraction from current events of doom and gloom. Thanks very much for posting and be safe 🙏

[@moodswinggaming2972]

i'm 8 mins in, two things i cannot stop thinking.. .1. why do they keep brushing and 2. he tries so hard to sound/talk like Attenborough.

[@reginaromsey]

The one item really on my major Bucket List is to go Mudlarking on the Thames as the point of my visit to one of my favorite cities.

[@tushar18m]

Amazing documentary. Can anyone please share me the link for the nursery rhyme at 17:59. The exact this one.

[@tushar18m]

Even I am searching for the rhyme. Please do share if you get it.

[@maniniyotkuwait6275]

nice video very informative

[@susanmyers1899]

I for one love his enthusiasm.I think many of the comments may not be the right audience for his style or subject matter.I have been on many bridges around the world and they are amazing, two with shops on them.

[@meherbabaisgodinhumanform3090]

Fascinating! 🙌🙌👍👍👌👌

[@shanebanks2881]

This man certainly likes his bridges

[@fredashay]

36:44 _"What's that nutter going on about?"_

[@neilhoganwa]

People today still offer up offerings to the river, Trolleys, bikes, safes, guns, knifes, cars, bodies ect ect...

[@DownhillAllTheWay]

1:06 - "... and they tell great stories" - an unfortunate turn of phrase when showing that particular bridge.

[@perryrbx]

Why?

[@MarksREmarks]

mike Collins: yeah, what d you mean?.

[@DownhillAllTheWay]

@@MarksREmarks Look up the history of the "millennium" pedestrian bridge.

[@krm8494]

If this is the real story, are there any false ones? I am confused.

[@flybobbie1449]

Back in the 80's father returning from far east on Japan Airlines. As the aircraft turned over London the captain said look out the window, that is the greatest city in the world.

[@CHMichael]

Berlin, Paris, Rome and Moscow probably disagree

[@flybobbie1449]

@@CHMichael We are not talking about the physical attractiveness of the city, but it's cultural, financial and scientific significance

[@flybobbie1449]

And the "Big Ben" clock face shows time that governs your life.

[@claudiosaltara7003]

I have seen that brush cleaning that tree stump a hundred times.

[@bushmanPMRR]

If your'e ever so unfortunate as to find yourself in Woolwich, south east London, it's only redeemable feature is the Royal Arsenal, not only the birthplace of Arsenal Football Club originally stemming from the workers at the munitions factory there, but also the Thames Clipper boat service that runs from Woolwich to Westminster. It's an excellent way to view both London and the Thames from an entirely different perspective. Just make sure you get one of the catamaran boats, when they open up the throttle, you know all about it! Oh, and it has a bar on board! ;-) Well worth the trip.

[@elizabethsheffield6609]

.......from Westminster Pier we went on a trip up the Thames to Richmond once and had a wonderful day - as you say so well worth the money. The guide described each and every Landmark you passed .......and then of course at Richmond is Richmond Palace to while away a few interesting hours with the ghost of Henry 8th and his wives!

[@sandrabradstreet]

Thank you so much for this excellent programme

[@ganeshrajgorakbanshi6179]

Nice❤️❤️

[@saminsaigon]

If only he could see Hammersmith Bridge (44.10) now. Not allowed to walk across it not even allowed to go under it in a boat it's so unstable.

[@peterchilderstone706]

70 yearsago we learned a poem -Twenty bridges from Tower to KEW asked THe river what it knew..FOr they were young and theThames was old and this is the tale the river told... etc,etc,--- does anyone know the complete story, who wrote it /

[@clivehorridge]

PETER CHILDERSTONE Rudyard Kipling - The River’s Tale Google the

[@peterchilderstone706]

@@DEMONIKMINION many thanks for your reply I willprintit off -hapynew year to you and friends.

[@peterchilderstone706]

@@clivehorridgethankyou for reply regards Peter

[@gegwen7440]

@6:30 ....... Londoners continue to make offerings, to imply that was the reason for the first bridge(s) Do you make this twaddle as you go along ?

[@jimthorne304]

Interesting. Hammersmith Bridge was originally built by Tierney Clark, Bazalgette rebuilt it on Clark's foundations.

[@davidvanniekerk356]

Baie dankie/ merci beaucoup Dan Cruichshank. It is great video of London bridges. When I was in London/ UK (1998-2000AD) I walk my feet, until they will no more. To see the first Police station and the very old buildings and there History. And to think when the Republic of South Africa had it first multi Racial Election (1994) the PAC-party wanted to break down every building that higher than 2 stories... And also the Dutch Castle (1657?) in Cape Town.... And on that topic before the Dutch arrived in South Africa there was no BRIDGES....

[@SalandCuz2941]

Did you know that heads on spikes used to be on london bridge

[@keithnoneya]

Full of history and great views of the bridges. However the scripts reference to mystical/religious innuendos and out right making stuff up was way laughable and way over the top in ridiculousness. Still thumbs up on the facts and the actual religious heritage of the some of the bridges. Worth watching. Thanks for sharing. Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya

[@speedysteve9121]

The Severn is longer than the Thames.

[@ashleypowell2900]

I thought that, but he said the longest river in England, the Severn runs though both England and Wales, so he's correct as are you.

[@cphthegeek1921]

Interesting documentary

[@gizabit]

We have lost London unfortunately

[@arturchmiel4821]

First bridge in london my arse! Probably a pier or something less significant

[@topbanana4013]

Same wooden pylons are on the opposite side to but does not show in this programme

[@clivehorridge]

This vid is wonderful

[@sbkenn1]

The current exceptionally high atmospheric pressures will push the tide even lower

[@markrowland1366]

A recent viewing here was asking if one experiences words we hear as if from another but which come from ourselves. Watching your revealing old London bridge I Realised the voices mingling with yours are my own but silent. You have amazed me. Thank you.

[@salmankhan-fk2qc]

Now....I...she....London....good

[@Colin-Fenix]

I really wish these dramatic artists would stay out of documentaries.

[@featherlessbiped688]

I agree The tools who made this documentary are indistinguishable from the tools who made the chariots of the gods documentaries Historical revisionism heavily biased by superstitious thinking.

[@thenoisyneighbour]

Artist Which are?

[@savolrat]

this has to be at least 10 years old.. London looks so different than this

[@KillingDeadThings]

Yeah. I don't know London but the shard not being complete is obvious in this shot... 9:08

[@samtilden3734]

Lol just look at the ipad

[@savolrat]

@@KillingDeadThings Crazy to see how small Canary Wharf is in this shot too actually

[@clivehorridge]

Killing DeadThings the Shard was completed 1 February 2013 ...

[@shanelevene4864]

No it doesn't.

[@hetspook666]

9 commercials?

[@securityrobot]

A good subject but such a shoddy production. When he’s talking to Camera in the street the background noise is competing for loudness, and when he’s indoors looking at a Model or Documentation he’s whispering for no apparent reason. The music used is a bit of a dog’s too, at one point a 1492 rip off is plastered over a shot of the Thames. We’re the programme makers 14 year olds?

[@dreed7312]

There are only 2 things I wanted to learn, but there's no way I'm going to suffer 58min of this to find out. 1. What are those upper levels for? 2. What's in those rooms?

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thanks very much....!

[@aryanto0003]

Sir , this was a pleasure to watch , thank you .

[@roberthindle5146]

44:02 - why is this geezer talking to himself?

[@topbanana4013]

he is looking at the camera ???

[@roberthindle5146]

I think he's looking at Mr Cruickshank.

[@massimiliano4876]

Why don't you write a fantasy book

[@roberthindle5146]

I'm paraphrasing the thoughts of the chap in the hoodie (background)

[@kobushauman3310]

Great documentary!

[@davidvanniekerk356]

In der-daad Kobus. Wat is die oudste brug in die Kaap/ RSA? Jan van Riebeeck se brug oor die Liesbeeckrivier?

[@kobushauman3310]

@@davidvanniekerk356 ek het geen idee nie! Dit sal interessant wees om 'n soortgelyke dokumentêr oor RSA te kon sien.

[@allandavis8201]

With a total lack of interest in architecture I don’t know why I decided to put this documentary on, but I am really glad I did, the historical side of this is fascinating, and the architectural side is, thankfully a side story. Thanks for sharing this interesting and informative documentary, learnt a lot about a History that is probably as important as the relatively recent history from the Industrial Age until today. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@56beverley]

I want it to get real and talk about all the muggers there...

[@fredflintstoner596]

Mrs Richards: "I paid for a room with a view !" Basil: (pointing to the lovely view) "That is Torquay, Madam ." Mrs Richards: "It's not good enough!" Basil: "May I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically past?..." Mrs Richards: "Don't be silly! I expect to be able to see the sea!" Basil: "You can see the sea, it's over there between the land and the sky." Mrs Richards: "I'm not satisfied. But I shall stay. But I expect a reduction." Basil: "Why?! Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment ?"

[@SEPK09]

Ok but hard to understand Dan at times.

[@TinTinHtwe-o8t]

I think early greatest bridge. Construction group is very good.

[@adriprins1656]

stunning Adri South Africa

[@ganeshrajgorakbanshi6179]

Nice ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@ganeshrajgorakbanshi6179]

❤️❤️

[@reginaromsey]

Wasn’t Londinium am so burned and it’s people slaughtered by Boadicea’s tribesmen? I seem to remember a Time Team investigation.

[@jayp6421]

I thought the original London bridge was taken down, and taken abroad somewhere?

[@worldview730]

2:12, history that has lasted nearly 4,000 years? I thought only the Egyptian pyramids went back that far?

[@sheilat.1349]

24:13 In 1282 Old London Bridge collapses because Henry III redirects the proceeds of the tolls to his wife more than a decade earlier? He gifted the money to his wife, Eleanor, in approximately 1270, he dies in 1272. For the next ten years during the reign of his son, Edward I, where did the money go? Eleanor must have been a very powerful woman to keep demanding the cash flow even after she is no longer Queen. Or King Edward I was very irresponsible. Love to hear that nursery rhyme!

[@BoredOfBills]

Lovely film but - "One of London's best bridges" (referring to Hammersmith) - it's been closed or designated as one way traffic on and off for the last thirty years ! Time to build a NEW bridge at Hammersmith and make the old one a cycle / pedestrian bridge - things change and London is, and has always been about change... Same is true in Richmond - a one lane each way bridge which is CONSTANTLY in gridlock and which causes local gridlock - time recognise the need for a NEW bridge (but keep the excellent old one for foot and cycle traffic).

[@timcaldwell8879]

Umm... why is he whispering? Like dont they know he's filming here. Unless..

[@pinetree1616]

The pretentious, grating whisper-speak employed by the host reminds me of Gordon Ramsay. They must have the same director, who tells them to speak in that annoying fashion.

[@MrOly0001]

back then was the fishing any good

[@LarsOfMars.]

Made in Dalmarnock, Glasgow 😎

[@paulpeters462]

10 adverts...slight;y greedy aren’t we

[@davidgillettuk9638]

According to the credits made in 2012. Not surprising as they had a shot of the Olympic Rings that were on tower bridge.

[@cyrillanicoche9827]

44:02 - why is this geezer talking to himself?

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

Because there’s noone else to talk to?

[@deeppurple883]

I'm ashamed to say, I know more about English history than I do about my own Irish history. We need to up our game 👊☘️

[@charleschris4123]

My first time hearing about the London bridge and immediately I’m thinking that kind a looks like a dam it looks like they cut half or better of the water flow and increase the speed of what was left according to the painting you can see that waterflow clearly.

[@Dave23964]

Vauxhall 15 miles away?!!

[@SanjeevKumar-mf1cl]

Nice

[@gabrielalexanderkhoury73]

The company name McGee features prominently?

[@andyiswonderful]

The Thames is not the longest river in England. That would be the Severn.

[@theq4602]

I lost it when he picked up that piece of a teacup. Like I wonder what he'd do at a landfill.

[@56beverley]

He would probably say 'Darn it' 😁

[@kimmadsen9811]

great show but I have had an add every 6 min that's bad.

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

Men det var gratis

[@mcanderson0]

Dude literally CANNOT stop talking @11:45 yes uh huh yes yes yes yes fascinating

[@koalaboygaming346]

I bet if you showed a picture of the London bridge to *anyone* they would know what it is

[@andreweh4]

I finally gave up watching at about 43 minutes. I got tired of trying to hear the announcer's breathless whispers that were usually less loud than the surrounding noises. A different presenter and this would have been a good show.

[@smac812]

Great....twice a year you can get access to some old wooden posts and give them a brush....what a load of pish....who cares...😥😮

[@jasonloader8149]

Hmmm... long time since I’ve watched Cruikshank in action - he’s determined to insert himself ahead of the subject at every turn. Incredibly shallow documentary - ‘the greatest city in Europe!’ he declares at the beginning but concludes that London is, in fact ‘the greatest city in the world’. This isn’t serious history - and I say that as a Londoner who lives 100 yards from the river.