The AmazingPutney

The very name “Putney” comes from the Old English word “Putta” which means

“river meadow” or “homestead”. So, what is so interesting about Putney?

Aside from being one of the 35 major centres in Greater London, Putney was an

ancient parish in the Brixton hundred of the country of Surrey. It is a part of the

London borough of Wandsworth since 1965.

Putney BridgeThe famous bridge links the south side of Putney with the north. In addition, it has medieval parish churches at each end.

Why was it built?There is a story stating that in 1720 Sir Robert Walpole(who later became the first Prime

Minister)was returning from visiting George 1 at Kingston on Thames and was in a hurry, was

very irritated by the ferry travel. A bridge is a must, he decided.

Built by local master Thomas Phillips, the first bridge was ready on November 1729. Little known

fact is, Putney bridge was the only bridge between London bridge and Kingston bridge at the

time.

Since 1845, it is the starting point of The Boat Race. Traditionally 32 men of Oxford and University

of Cambridge compete in river Thames until Mortlake. The result until now is in favor of

Cambridge. Usually 250,000 people watch the race from the banks of the river each year.

Oxford-Cambridge RivalryKnown collectively as Oxbridge, these are the

oldest universities in the United Kingdom and a

rivalry between them exist from around 1208

when Cambridge was founded. Still, both

universities are famous and respected.

What is more, Putney bridge is the only

bridge in Britain which has a church at both

ends. St. Mary's Church is located on the

south and All Saints Church Fulham is situated

in the north bank.

Notable ResidentsPierce Brosnan, former James Bond

actor, attended school in Putney.

Taio Cruz,

UK RnB singer is born here.

John Deacon,

former guitarist of Queen, lives in Putney

Mary Shelley,

the author of Frankenstein lived in Putney for a while.

Leonard Woolf,

the husband of Virginia Woolf was raised in Putney.

Courtesy of

Putney