OPINION - John Darlington on great London monuments: the surprising story of London Bridge

Today we think nothing of crossing the Thames. It’s easy: between central London’s most recognisable bridge – Tower Bridge – to the filagree elegance of its most beautiful – Albert Bridge – we can hop from the north to the south bank of the river using one of 22 different bridges or tunnels; more if you count the ferries. 275 years ago, if you were a resident of the historic city of London or its adjacent neighbours in Westminster, Lambeth or Southwark, you only had one choice if you didn’t wish to use a ferry: the mighty