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Thames Bridges Trivia Quiz

This quiz is about the history of just a few of the many bridges that cross England's famous River Thames.

A multiple-choice quiz by cosmichobo. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
cosmichobo

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
378,141

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
220

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Where were the earliest recorded crossings of the river Thames located? Hint

Staines and London Bridge

Chelsea and Tower Bridge

Waterloo and Blackfriars

Westminster and Hungerford

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Question 2 of 10

2. What authority in 1670 blocked the construction of several bridges across the Thames? Hint

The Company of Watermen

Ferrymen

Parliament

Harbourmasters

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Question 3 of 10

3. In which town can remains of an Anglo-Saxon bridge over the Thames still be seen? Hint

Windsor

Oxford

Blackfriars

Runnymede

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which three Thames bridges were designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel? Hint

Sonning, Blackfriars and Charing Cross

Isis, Runnymede and Marlow

Maidenhead, Gatehampton and Moulsford.

Henley, Harts Weir and Temple

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which of these Thames bridges is the furthest West? Hint

Windsor

Runnymede

Datchet

Sonning

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Question 6 of 10

6. Located just south of Oxford, in which decade was the Isis Bridge over the Thames built? Hint

1930s

1960s

1900s

1920s

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which Mediaeval stone built pair of Thames bridges are still in use? Hint

London and Staines

Hampton and Shepperton

Sonning and Datchet

Newbridge and Abingdon

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which of the following pairs of Thames bridges are both of single-span design? Hint

Vauxhall and Grosvenor

Westminster and Windsor

Runnymede and Walton

Cannon Street and Southwark

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Question 9 of 10

9. In which county would you find the Newbridge bridge over the Thames? Hint

Berkshire

Greater London

Kent

Oxfordshire

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of these Thames bridges was built as part of a bypass? Hint

Marlow

Windsor

Datchet

Isis

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Where were the earliest recorded crossings of the river Thames located?

Answer: Staines and London Bridge

A lot of the current bridges were at the same location as many of the earlier sites. The Staines and London Bridge crossings were first in use during Roman times.

The expansion of Kingston is reputedly due to Staines Bridge bringing trade from early in the 18th century, when it was the nearest crossing apart from London Bridge. The original London Bridge was sold to an American tycoon and rebuilt in the USA. The current bridge is in the same location as the old one.

2. What authority in 1670 blocked the construction of several bridges across the Thames?

Answer: The Company of Watermen

Two additional bridges were considered for Lambeth and Putney, but vetoed by the Watermen as it would threaten the livelihood of the Rivermen who were also on call as the naval reserve.

3. In which town can remains of an Anglo-Saxon bridge over the Thames still be seen?

Answer: Oxford

The site of this can be found at Folly Bridge.

4. Which three Thames bridges were designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel?

Answer: Maidenhead, Gatehampton and Moulsford.

All three were built in 1838. Gatehampton is situated between Goring and Pangbourne. Maidenhead is East of Maidenhead between Bray and Boulter's Locks downstream from Guard's Club Island. The bridge at Moulsford is actually a pair of parellel bridges just North of Moulsford and South Stoke.

5. Which of these Thames bridges is the furthest West?

Answer: Sonning

The present stone bridge was built in 1775 as a replacement for the original wooden one. It is a grade two listed building. A timber built bridge is mentioned as early as 1530.

6. Located just south of Oxford, in which decade was the Isis Bridge over the Thames built?

Answer: 1960s

This modern bridge was opened in 1965 at the same time as the road link between South Hinksey and Heyford Hill. The one arch span was built for Oxford County Council. It is between Oxford and Reading.

7. Which Mediaeval stone built pair of Thames bridges are still in use?

Answer: Newbridge and Abingdon

Abingdon Bridge today supports the A415 to Dorchester and is two spans housed centrally on Nag's Head Island. The original construction started in 1614 and was finished in 1622. Improvements were made in 1453, 1790, 1829-30 and 1927.

Newbridge dates back to the 1400's and was built on behalf of King John in order to speed up the connection between Southern England and wool farms in the Cotswolds.

8. Which of the following pairs of Thames bridges are both of single-span design?

Answer: Runnymede and Walton

Until the Walton Bridge was built in 2013, the Runnymede Bridge was the only single span bridge across the Thames. Sir Edwin Luytens was one of its designers and it has two red brick outer walls which are filled with loose materials.

Before the first Walton bridge was built a ferry was used to cross the river. In all there have been six Walton bridges.

9. In which county would you find the Newbridge bridge over the Thames?

Answer: Oxfordshire

It is situated near Witney and Abingdon. It carries the A415 and is near the tributary of the Windrush. Public Houses stand at either end. The southern section is on dry ground except when there are floods.

10. Which of these Thames bridges was built as part of a bypass?

Answer: Marlow

It was built in 1972 to carry traffic from Maidenhead around Marlow towards High Wycombe. At one point it forms the A404 and crosses the Thames near Cookham and Marlow.

Source: Author cosmichobo

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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