Windmill Bridge

Windmill Bridge in Southall, west London, is a three-level crossing where a road, a canal and a railway pass over one another. Locals and maps call it the Three Bridges. Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed it, and it now carries national protection as a scheduled monument. It sits on Tentelow Lane in the London Borough of Ealing.

What exactly are you looking at?

The name promises three bridges, but there are only two structures. The railway runs at the bottom, in a cutting. Above it the Grand Union Canal flows through a cast-iron trough, which makes it an aqueduct. Higher still, a cast-iron arch carries the road across the canal. Brick piers, abutments and retaining walls hold everything up, so a train, a narrowboat and a car can all cross the same spot at different heights.

Why was it built this way?

A road bridge over the canal already stood here. It was rebuilt when the Great Western Railway pushed its Brentford branch through, with the line opening in 1859. The crossing is regarded as one of Brunel's last works, since he died in September that year. The contractors were E. R. Murray and J. L. Tredwell. The Windmill name comes from a nearby mill that J. M. W. Turner painted.

What protection does it have?

The bridge is on the National Heritage List for England under entry 1002020 as a scheduled monument, first listed in 1970. Historic England describes it as a single-span cast-iron bridge and aqueduct that, despite later repairs and alterations, remains a notable combined structure.

How do you get there and what should you know?

Windmill Bridge is on Tentelow Lane in Southall. The best way to see it is on foot or by bike along the Grand Union Canal towpath, where you can look at the aqueduct trough from the water's edge. From the road bridge you can see down to the railway cutting and across the canal. The road bridge has traffic restrictions, so it suits walkers and engineering fans better than drivers. Visiting is free because it is an ordinary street and public towpath. Check Ealing Council and the Canal & River Trust for current restrictions and towpath conditions before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Are there really three bridges? No. The name refers to three levels, but the structure consists of two bridges: the cast-iron road bridge and the canal aqueduct above the railway cutting.

Who designed Windmill Bridge? Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It was one of his final projects, completed in 1859.

Do I need a ticket? No. The road and towpath are public, so viewing the structure is free.

Can I drive over it? The road bridge has restrictions, including a weight limit, so confirm current rules with Ealing Council before you travel by car.