In this episode of Danny Hurst´s Unusual Histories Bridge Series, he reaches Battersea Bridge. A bridge that many argue is located in the wrong place, to the point where Londonist.com describes it as – “The equivalent of a zebra crossing on a hairpin bend.” A lot of river users crash into it. 

Danny explains how it ended up being built there and shares its connection between the sewage system, Princess Diana’s family, a whale, Richard III and why the bridge is considered unlucky.

If you can´t get enough of these podcasts, head to https://www.patreon.com/DannyHurst to access my exclusive, member-only, fun-filled and fact-packed history-related videos.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• It is London´s narrowest road bridge and has claimed the lives of many cyclists.
• It was the 1st bridge to be lit at night.
• After one accident only the tram lines were left holding the bridge together.
• The only medieval city merchant´s house is located nearby.

BEST MOMENTS

“Despite the accidents and casualties, this bridge was something of a muse to several artists.”

“Calls for its demolition were loud.”

“Cycling across it is not advised.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://londonist.com/2015/07/battersea-bridge-125-years-of-collisions

HOST BIO

Historian, performer, and mentor Danny Hurst has been engaging audiences for many years, whether as a lecturer, stand-up comic or intervention teacher with young offenders and excluded secondary students. Having worked with some of the most difficult people in the UK, he is a natural storyteller and entertainer, whilst purveying the most fascinating information that you didn't know you didn't know. A writer and host of pub quizzes across London, he has travelled extensively and speaks several languages. He has been a consultant for exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum in London as well as presenting accelerated learning seminars across the UK. With a wide range of knowledge ranging from motor mechanics to opera to breeding carnivorous plants, he believes learning is the most effective when it's fun. Uniquely delivered, this is history without the boring bits, told the way only Danny Hurst can.

CONTACT AND SOCIALS

https://instagram.com/dannyjhurst
facebook.com/danny.hurst.9638

https://twitter.com/dannyhurst 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720

Podcast Description

"History is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake." James Joyce.

That was me at school as well. Ironically, I ended up becoming a historian. The Unusual Histories podcast is all about the history you don't learn at school, nor indeed anywhere else. Discover things that you didn't know that you didn't know, fascinating historical luminaries and their vices and addictions, and the other numerous sides of every story.

Danny continues his Unusual Histories podcast with the Bridge Series, remaining in London travelling east to west to look at the bridges which span the Thames. He looks at their design, construction, and history, along with the history of the areas in which they're located on both sides of the river. This series kicks off with an exclusive interview with Dirk Bennett of the City Bridge Foundation, the organisation which looks after London's bridges. Tower Bridge is marking its 130th anniversary this month and Dirk talks to Danny about the history of the bridge as well as the new exhibition that is opening for it.

If you love history; or indeed if you hate history, this is the podcast for you…