Bridging the divide between past and present

London is full of attractions, from the historical to the modern, from family fun to a wild night life. Whatever you are looking for, the vibrant city of London has it in spades. The architecture of this ancient city stands juxtaposed with modern designs and, in between the palaces, government buildings and other iconic edifices, stand the many bridges that offer easy access over the famous River Thames. The oldest bridge in London can be found in Hammersmith in the West and was opened in 1827. The first suspension bridge over the great river, Hammersmith bridge quickly became an attractive vantage point for watching the famous annual boat race between the university crews of Oxford and Cambridge.

Hammersmith Bridge is not the sturdiest of structures and the original bridge was replaced in 1887 when the Prince of Wales unveiled St Joseph Bazalgette’s ornate structure. The bridge only just skims the surface of the river below and operates under strict weight restrictions, meaning you won’t get the opportunity to drive over it. There’s special appeal here for visitors from South Africa who can celebrate the life of fellow countryman Lieutenant Charles Campbell Wood who dived off the bridge to rescue a drowning woman in the winter of 1919. Although both parties survived, Wood died two weeks later from a tetanus infection caused by his injuries.

There are many additional attractions in the area and it’s a great idea to check into a nearby hotel while you take in the many sights and activities. The Adria Hotel, London, Hammersmith is just a 15-minute walk from Hammersmith Bridge and even closer to the retail revelries of Kings Road. While there, you can also explore the popular route that runs along the River Thames where the Furnivall Gardens offer a grassy alternative to the city streets. If you want to taste some of the local ales, you can stroll from pub to pub, discovering traditional riverside taverns such as the Blue Anchor, which famously appeared in the film, Sliding Doors. Candlelight makes winter evenings inviting and cosy while summer afternoons can be spent soaking up the view of the Thames from one of the riverside benches. From The Blue Anchor, it’s a short walk to the famous Dove which has too many claims to fame to mention here but offers a cosy (and tiny) bar off a cobbled street where you can enjoy some delicious Devon crab or Dorset lamb – some of the best of Britain’s cuisine.

The Hotel Adria, London is situated just a short walk from The Dove so, if you’ve eaten rather too much, you can take a ten-minute meander back the hotel for a little relaxation in one of their spacious and contemporary.

Refresh yourself with a long, hot shower before heading out for an evening of entertainment and miscellaneous London amusements. The nearby Lyric Hammersmith and Riverside Studios both offer a variety of performances, from traditional to modern and the prices are often much more affordable than those in the West End. Restaurants in the area offer epicural delights from all over the world so you can globetrot vicariously as you sample gastronomic delights from North Africa, Azerbaijan, India or Vietnam.