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Windsor Castle
In Berkshire, Windsor Castle has dominated the Thames for centuries. First built by William the Conqueror around 1050, it has been changed quite considerably by succeeding monarchs.
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Windsor and Eton |
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Windsor Castle |
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The castle is surrounded by Windsor Great Park, with its formal avenues and ancient trees.
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The Divided Bridge
There used to be a bridge across the Thames leading into the park at Datchet. But, unusually for Thames bridges, there is nothing standing there today,
.. apart from this small plaque on the bank. The story of Datchet bridge involves a series of long-running feuds.
A bridge was first built here to replace a ferry in 1706 by Queen Anne. It was free of tolls, which made it very popular with the local people, but Windsor corporation demanded and got compensation for the loss of income from their bridge in the town.
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Photograph of painting of Datchet bridge |
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Engraving of Datchet Bridge after Sandby |
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The bridge lasted almost 90 years, but in 1794 it collapsed. George III reinstated the ferry while an argument arose between the Crown and Buckinghamshire and Berkshire counties as to who should pay for a replacement bridge.
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It was decided eventually that the counties not the Crown should build the bridge, which was opened in 1812. Unfortunately the county boundary between Buckinghamshire and Berkshire ran through the centre of the bridge, and a long-running squabble ensued over its maintenance - so much so that the bridge collapsed again in 1836.
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Datchet Bridge |
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Datchet Bridge |
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The two counties then took separate steps to rebuild their section,
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Buckinghamshire building their half in wood and Berkshire in iron. It looked most ungainly. It was taken down in 1851 and two new bridges, Victoria Bridge and Albert Bridge, were built up and down stream of it.
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Introduction
Windsor
