Blackfriars Bridge serves as a road and pedestrian bridge spanning the River Thames.
Positioned between Waterloo Bridge and Blackfriars Railway Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge carries the A201 road. The northern end of the bridge is in the City of London, near the Inns of Court and Temple Church, in close proximity to Blackfriars station. On the southern end, it connects to the London Borough of Southwark, near the Tate Modern art gallery and the Oxo Tower.
Historically, the first permanent crossing at Blackfriars was a toll bridge measuring 303 metres in length. Designed by Robert Mylne in an Italianate style, it featured nine semi-elliptical arches crafted from Portland stone. Competing against designs by John Gwynn and George Dance, it took a substantial nine years to complete. The bridge opened to the public in 1769 and was initially named "William Pitt Bridge" as a dedication to Prime Minister William Pitt the Elder.
However, it was commonly referred to by its informal name associated with the surrounding area named after the Blackfriars Monastery, a Dominican priory that once stood nearby. Over time, the bridge became toll-free for public use.
