FAKE houses, fake Sheikhs and fake goods, London has it all. Now we can reveal the story behind its fabled fake bridge.
England’s capital is renowned for cold weather, warm beer and iconic tourist hotspots including some of the world’s most famous bridges.
But a lesser known bridge in Hampstead Heath, suitably know as ‘Sham Bridge’, has been making headlines for the last 200 years.
Most bridges are designed to at least bear the weight of vehicles or pedestrians crossing over them. However, this bridge located in North West London fails to meet these conventional requirements.
Found above the Thousand Pound Pond in Hampstead Heath, this bridge initially appears to be a typical structure. Yet, upon closer inspection from a different perspective, its true nature is revealed.
Given its nickname, the ‘Sham Bridge,’ this ornamental structure near Kenwood House is merely a two-dimensional feature, lacking the practicality for actual crossing.
Its origins can be traced back to the mid-18th century when it was part of the grounds owned by the first Earl of Mansfield.
Over time, the Sham Bridge has undergone multiple repairs and reconstructions, adding to its historical significance.
However, it remains an artistic piece rather than a functional passageway.
The structure was originally built to captivate the attention of visitors looking towards London from the Kenwood Estate. Serving as a prominent decorative landscape feature, it has gradually decayed since its last restoration in 1993, impacting both the aesthetic and historical significance of Kenwood Park as a cherished heritage asset.
In 2019, due to years of weathering, the bridge underwent further repairs after sustaining damage. Recognising its importance as a significant building on one of English Heritage’s flagship sites, the Historic England Trust expressed concern about the deteriorating condition of the Sham Bridge.
To preserve its charm and historical value, the Historic England Trust plans to install a new timber bridge faithful to the original design.
This iconic structure stands as a testament to the creativity of its designer and reflects the prevailing fashion in landscape design during that era for picturesque and fanciful features, even if they served no practical purpose.
