There is thought to have been a crossing place at the river in Kingston for several thousand years due to the position of the Thames basin in the area. It is reputed that when Roman Emperor Julius Caesar visited England he crossed the river at the point where Kingston Bridge now stands. A wooden bridge was constructed on the site in 1219 and at that time apart from London Bridge was the only river crossing on the Thames. In 1825 Edward Lapidge designed and built the modern stone bridge that can be seen today; a beautiful creation it is the envy of many in the architectural world.