Temple Footbridge

Temple Footbridge is a pedestrian only bridge near Hurley, Berkshire across the River Thames in England. It connects the Buckinghamshire and Berkshire banks. It crosses the Thames just above Temple Lock.

Temple Footbridge
Temple Footbridge from near Temple Lock
Coordinates	51°33′07″N 0°47′49″W
Carries	Thames Path
Crosses	River Thames
Locale	Hurley, Berkshire
Characteristics
Material	Wood
Total length	88 yards (80 m)
Height	21 feet 3 inches (6.48 m)[1]
No. of spans	1
History
Opened	1989
Location

The bridge was built in 1989[2] specifically for walkers on the Thames Path. Previously walkers on the Thames Path had been required to take a detour away from the river bank along a road through Bisham and Marlow. The bridge was opened by Lord Hesketh on 24 May 1989,[3][4] following a campagn by Margaret Bowdery, a local advocate of access to open spaces and improvements to footpaths.[5] As part of the campaign for the construction of the bridge she ran a "Golden Boot" appeal and raised over £2000 towards its construction.[6] Formerly there was a ferry at this point which took the towpath across the river when it was used for towing barges.[7] The ferry ceased operation in 1953.[8]

The name "Temple" comes from Temple Mill Island which was owned by the Knights Templar and the site of a mill,[7] which was used to create copper sheets used in the construction of ships for the Royal Navy.[8] The mill had a large water wheel to drive the milling machinery.[9]

In May 2019 the bridge was declared unsafe and closed to pedestrians. It was repaired and reopened in June of the same year.[10][11]

It is a haunched girder bridge with a wooden deck.[2] At 150 feet (46 m), it is the longest hardwood bridge in Britain.[12][13][14] The centre of the bridge gives a height of 6.51 metres (21.4 ft) above the water allowing the passage of a range of vessels.[1]