London Bridge Anniversary Fair

In 1209 King John opened old London Bridge. This year marks its 800th anniversary.

The Anniversary Fair is being organised by the Lord Mayor's Appeal.

The bridge will be closed to traffic (between 4am and 8pm) and open to the general public during the day. Visitors will be able to wander the bridge freely and enjoy a whole host of fun activities and entertainment.

These will include demonstrations and exhibitions about the work of the mysteries, crafts and guilds of London. There will be a particular theme of London life at the time of the bridge's opening including medieval education, health, entertainment and crime and punishment.

Liverymen and Freemen will be exercising their ancient 'rights' to drive sheep 'tax free' across the bridge.

Learn more about some of the key events in the history of London Bridge and its links with the church. Southwark Cathedral and St Magnus the Martyr Church will be putting on special displays.

A special service will be held at 12 noon near the site of the chapel of St Thomas Becket which stood in the middle of Old London Bridge.