In this episode, of Danny Hurst´s Unusual Histories Bridge Series, he arrives at Vauxhall Bridge. There is evidence of a bridge near this site which dates back to around 4000 BC. As a result, some people argue that this is the oldest bridge in the capital, instead of London Bridge.

Danny takes you for a spin through its fascinating history. Including, its connection to knights, a green giant, James Bond, pleasure gardens, Royal Dalton, the statues few people notice, and a London farm that is still working.

If you can´t, get enough of these podcasts, head to https://www.patreon.com/DannyHurst to access my exclusive, member-only, fun-filled, and fact-packed history-related videos.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The first bridge was built using flint tools.
• The bridge is named after a knight.
• The Vauxhall car company was founded here.
• One of the temporary bridges now spans the Zambezi.
• South London’s oldest gay venue is located near the bridge.

BEST MOMENTS

‘For around 200 years The Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens were one of the leading entertainment venues in London. ´

‘A temporary bridge had to be installed to keep the traffic moving.’

‘All of these are female and extremely accomplished in detail.’

HOST BIO

Historian, performer, and mentor Danny Hurst has been engaging audiences for many years, whether as a lecturer, stand-up comic or intervention teacher with young offenders and excluded secondary students. Having worked with some of the most difficult people in the UK, he is a natural storyteller and entertainer, whilst purveying the most fascinating information that you didn't know you didn't know. A writer and host of pub quizzes across London, he has travelled extensively and speaks several languages. He has been a consultant for exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum in London as well as presenting accelerated learning seminars across the UK. With a wide range of knowledge ranging from motor mechanics to opera to breeding carnivorous plants, he believes learning is the most effective when it's fun. Uniquely delivered, this is history without the boring bits, told the way only Danny Hurst can.

CONTACT AND SOCIALS

https://instagram.com/dannyjhurst
facebook.com/danny.hurst.9638

https://twitter.com/dannyhurst

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720

Podcast Description

"History is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake." James Joyce.

That was me at school as well. Ironically, I ended up becoming a historian. The Unusual Histories podcast is all about the history you don't learn at school, nor indeed anywhere else. Discover things that you didn't know that you didn't know, fascinating historical luminaries and their vices and addictions, and the other numerous sides of every story.

Danny continues his Unusual Histories podcast with the Bridge Series, remaining in London travelling east to west to look at the bridges which span the Thames. He looks at their design, construction and history, along with the history of the areas in which they're located on both sides of the river. This series kicks off with an exclusive interview with Dirk Bennett of the City Bridge Foundation, the organisation which looks after London's bridges. Tower Bridge is marking its 130th anniversary this month and Dirk talks to Danny about the history of the bridge as well as the new exhibition that is opening for it.

If you love history; or indeed if you hate history, this is the podcast for you…