In the Paddington Basin of the Grand Union Canal in London, there is a bridge that is usually curled up into an octagon but unfurls once a week for visitors to admire and cross over.
Paddington Rolling Bridge
This is the Heatherwick Studio‘s Rolling Bridge. It was commissioned in 2004 as a footbridge for local workers and residents to cross over while allowing boats to moor in the inlet.
Typically, we envision a bridge as a straight, rigid structure. However, this unique bridge spends most of its life curled up next to the inlet, appearing unlike a bridge.
Once a week, at around midday on Fridays, two staff members from the Paddington Waterside Partnership manage the controls to operate the bridge. Some days, they are met with a little audience, and other days, they are not, but they persistently perform their duties.
The bridge opens and closes through a hydraulic system integrated into the balustrade. It’s a stunning spectacle as it unfolds gracefully, despite being primarily functional. The bridge can halt at any point during the ‘curl’, although there is generally no need; operators mostly stop it only when fully open or fully closed.
When completely extended, the bridge spans the inlet, allowing pedestrians to walk across. It is notably stable for a temporary structure. After a few minutes of use, when no one is attempting to cross, one staff member secures the area for safety (you can still traverse the canal path), and the bridge will curl back up.
Paddington Rolling Bridge Directions
The Rolling Bridge at Paddington is a delightful sight when it unfurls, serving as a bridge for just a few minutes every week. However, locating it can be challenging, even for locals. Here are clear and simple directions to help you.
From Paddington station, look for the Praed Street exits. Both the tube and train stations feature signs for this main road.
Upon reaching Praed Street, take the immediate left turn onto South Wharf Road, which follows the edge of the station at a higher elevation.
Shortly after the turn, leave the road where South Wharf Street veers right and take a left turn onto a cobbled path leading toward the canal. Keep an eye out for the blue sign directing you to “Paterson Cabin” and “The Bays”. Turn onto the path, and you’ll notice the blue sign as depicted earlier. The cobbled path can be observed in the previous image.
Proceed along this path to the end of the buildings, which is a maximum two-minute walk. You will reach the canal and see the white footbridge spanning it. Ascend the steps to cross over and descend via the steps, avoiding the slope.
Follow the canal path around the corner (as you can only move in one direction). Before reaching the end of the canal basin, you will spot the rolled-up bridge across an inlet. Note that it does not extend across the canal but over the inlet, which has a canal path enabling you to walk around when the bridge is not operational.
The bridge unfurls at midday every Friday, and the entire process – both opening and closing – takes under 10 minutes, so it is advisable to arrive on time! Getting there early can be very rewarding, as it sometimes just concludes at midday, especially during inclement weather. There is a canal path where you can take cover from rain, so don’t let poor weather dissuade you; it is an entertaining spectacle to witness.
Alternative Route: You can access the top of the canal basin further up Praed Street. Directly across from the Tune Hotel Paddington, at the junction with South Wharf Road, there is access to the canal basin adjacent to Superdrug and near Tesco Express on South Wharf Road.
Little Venice: Additionally, you can follow these directions to reach Little Venice. Once at the canal, do not ascend the steps to cross over but rather stay on the canal path and follow it for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
