Tower Bridge is an iconic piece of the London skyline that has stood for 130 years now, and more people cross it each day now than back in the Victorian era, when it was built to connect the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Southwark so that East Londoners had a place to cross the River Thames. Its iconic walkway, 42 metres above the river, allows pedestrians to cross even when the bascules - bridge lifts - are raised to allow ships to come into London’s ports. If you get lucky you might even see a ship come in!
Began in 1886 and finished in 1894, Tower Bridge is a marvellous feat of Victorian engineering, and you can learn all about how it was built and operated back then and now in the Victorian Engine Rooms. Visitors can also explore the walkways 42 metres above the River Thames, and the exceptionally daring can brave the glass roofs! At that height, though, it’s worth the entry fee for the views alone, as you have uniquely breathtaking panoramic views of The Shard, the HMS Belfast, St Pauls Cathdral and more.
Side note: the bridge has its official history, but have you heard the rumours…? The story goes that in 1967 an American entrepreneur payed over £10 million to have a London bridge dismantled and rebuilt in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, believing it to be Tower Bridge! The story is, however, just a popular rumour and urban legend - one that was vehemently denied by both the entrepreneur (one Robert Paxton McCullogh) and the man who arranged the sale, and we are glad to say that those Americans are as happy with their London Bridge as we Londoners are with our Tower Bridge!
It takes between 60 and 90 minutes to fully explore and enjoy the Tower Bridge, and your timed entry ticket includes a visit to the Towers, the high-level Walkways, Glass Floors and Victorian Engine Rooms.
You can also book a guided tour of Tower Bridge with one of the accredited guides there, which last approximately 90 minutes, and even Behind-the-Scenes Tours (though these sell out fast!).
Details
- Address:
- Tower Bridge
- SE1 2UP
- Transport:
- London Bridge train station or Tower Hill tube station