Tower Bridge

About Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge has crossed the River Thames in central London since 1894, and despite what a lot of visitors assume, it is not London Bridge, which sits a short walk upstream. It was built as a combined suspension and bascule bridge so that tall ships could still reach the busy docks east of the City: the two roadway sections lift to let vessels through, counterbalanced by heavy weights inside the bases of the towers. The Victorian Gothic stonework was added largely to make the steel structure blend in with the Tower of London next door, which is where the bridge gets its name.

The paid visitor attraction runs through the two towers and the high-level walkways that connect them, originally built so pedestrians could cross while the road was raised. The walkways now include glass floor panels, so you can look straight down at the traffic and the river beneath your feet. The route also takes you down to the Victorian Engine Rooms, where the original steam engines and hydraulic machinery that once powered the lifts are kept on display. Exhibits along the way cover how the bridge was designed and how it still works today.

You don't need a ticket to walk or drive across the bridge itself, or to photograph it from the riverbanks, so decide in advance whether you want the interior experience or just the view. The bridge still lifts regularly for river traffic, and the times are published ahead, so it is worth checking the schedule if you want to catch a lift in action. Tower Bridge pairs easily with the Tower of London, St Katharine Docks, and a walk along the South Bank, and it is well served by nearby Underground stations.