The current bridge replaced an earlier wooden structure, the foundations of which can be seen in the basement of the Henley Royal Regatta headquarters nearby on the Berkshire side.

It was carried away in the great flood of 1774,[4] but part of the eastern abutment is built on the intact easternmost span of the original 12th-century bridge.

[7] Sculptures of Isis and Tamesis by Anne Seymour Damer are at the keystone of the central arch on each side of the bridge.

A £200,000 repair programme commenced the following year [12] Strings of white LED bulbs were attached to the Grade I listed crossing in March 2018 by artist Clive Hemsley.

He claimed to have received scores of messages of support from people wanting the lights to remain permanently, including one from the Mayor of Henley.

The scheme remains insufficiently justified and is unlikely to be able to be able to demonstrate a sufficient level of public benefits to overcome harm to such a significant building.

[6] On the Oxfordshire (Henley) side are the Angel on the Bridge riverside public house and the Red Lion Hotel, an old coaching inn.