What is it?
The Heatherwick Studio`s Rolling Bridge spans an inlet of the Grand Union Canal at Paddington Basin, west London.
It appears to be a normal steel and timber footbridge when open – until it needs to get out of the way. Then, rather than breaking and lifting up as a rigid element, the Rolling Bridge curls until its two ends meet. The bridge is transformed into an octagon that stands on one side of the canal, without a trace of a bridge on the other bank.
Rolling Bridge
Rolling Bridge
Rolling Bridge
Rolling Bridge
When can you see it?
Every Friday at noon.
How to get there?
Take the tube to Paddington Station. Walk out of the tube station at Praed Street, walk towards St Mary`s hospital. When you see the following sign, turn in left:
Follow the path until you see following foot bridge
Cross here and walk to the right
You`ll see another footbridge,but you don`t need to cross that one, keep walking and you`ll find the Rolling Bridge in front of you.
Enjoy! It`s something you don`t see every day. Quite the experience.
Wowzer! What stunning photographs. I’m so glad we found this and I’m so glad you’ve published this post as I feel sure it will inspire others to visit too. Brilliant directions too. Thank you.
Thank you Laura for telling me about it in the first place!
Never knew about this! Another visit to Paddington beckons… thanks for the tip
You`re welcome, Andy. I would definitely recommend a visit.
Wow… that’s super duper interesting.. doesn’t even look like a bridge at first sight!
Here are my London activities if you are just visiting for a few days:
http://ramblingmuse.com/2012/04/08/explore/activities-london/
-Clarisse