London Past Papers Thames and Bridges

Question 1

Why is Lambeth Bridge painted
red?

Question 2

In which century was the first
stone London Bridge built?

Question 3

What is the length of the river
Thames from its source to the sea
(miles or km)?

Question 4

Who designed the Millennium
Bridge?

Question 5

In which year was the last Frost
Fair held on the frozen river
Thames?

Question 6

Which canal joins the River Thames at Limehouse?

Question 7

Name the longest underground river in London.

Question 8

Which bridge, opened in 1894, is
celebrating its 130th birthday this
year?

Question 9

In which year was the first
Westminster Bridge built?

Question 10

Where does the Oxford and
Cambridge Boat Race (i) start
and (ii) end?

Answer 10

(i)
(ii)

Question 11

Name the bridge with which Peter
de Colechurch is associated.

Question 12

Which body owns and maintains all the bridges between Blackfriars and Tower Bridge?

Question 13

Where does the River Thames
cease to be tidal?

Question 14

Which river flows underground for
4 miles before joining the Thames
at Blackfriars Bridge?

Question 15

In 1750 which was the first bridge
to be built in London since London
Bridge?

Question 16

In 1820 a canal opened, linking the Grand Junction Canal’s Paddington Arm to Limehouse. What is its name?

Question 17

Name the canal, which links Little
Venice with Camden Lock.

Question 18

Under which bridge can the River
Fleet be seen at low tide?

Question 19

How long is the River Thames (in
miles or kilometres)?

Question 20

Where does the Regent’s Canal
join the River Thames?

Question 21

How much is the adult single fare
on the Thames Clipper?

Question 22

Where does the Regent’s Canal
join the River Thames?

Question 23

Which London bridge is often
referred to as The Ladies Bridge?

Question 24

What Latin name did the Romans
give to the river Thames?

Question 25

Where in London does the tidal
section of the River Thames end?

Question 26

Name TWO of London’s “lost”
rivers.

Answer 26

(i)
(ii)

Question 27

In which year was the Great Stink?

Question 28

Name the chief engineer to the
London Metropolitan Board of
Works who designed a major new
sewage system.

Question 29

Which engineer was responsible
for the world’s first modern
underwater tunnel which opened
in 1843?

Question 30

What is the name of the ‘world’s
oldest rowing race’ which takes
place on the Thames every July?

Question 31

What was the name of the London-wide body which built the London sewers in the late 19th
century?

Question 32

Name the doctor who discovered
the source of cholera in London in
1854.

Question 33

Why did the House of Commons
consider leaving London in 1858?

Question 34

Why did the House of Commons
consider leaving London in 1858?

Question 35

Name the engineer who designed
the Thames Tunnel, opened in
1843.

Question 36

Who discovered the cause of the
cholera outbreak in Soho in 1854?

Question 37

What famous structure was built
by Peter de Colechurch in the
12th century?

Answer 37

First London bridge
English engineer who directed the building of the first London bridge. Construction on the bridge began in 1176 and continued past the time of his death 29 years later. The resulting stone structure was an impressive achievement, including 19 pointed arches and a drawbridge.