Tower Bridge, London

One of the 33 bridges in London over the Thames (and indeed the most famous) is Tower Bridge. Present in the London skyline since 1894, this architectural beauty consists of two enormous towers and two walkways, a grand Victorian staircase, and beautiful panoramic views of the city.

People often think that the bridge is named after its two towers, but in reality, it is named for being very close to the Tower of London, which you can visit on the complete tour of London. Do you want to know its history and how you can visit it from the inside? Here we give you all the details.

History of Tower Bridge

 

Construction of the Tower Bridge in London began in 1886, after the design by Sir Horace Jones, the city architect, was approved in collaboration with John Wolfe Barry, and it lasted until 1894. This landmark coincided with the high commercial development experienced by the East End in the second half of the 19th century.

Five companies and 432 workers were in charge of the process. The structure has 70,000 tons of concrete just in its foundation and about 10,000 tons of steel, in addition to a Cornish granite cladding and Portland stone.

Its Victorian neo-Gothic style was used to aesthetically integrate Tower Bridge with the nearby Tower of London.

 

Pedestrian walkway of Tower Bridge

 

Due to its proximity to the port, it was necessary to allow the passage of ships. Hydraulic steam machines were responsible for raising the two parts of the bridge deck from its construction until 1974, when the decision was made to replace them with an electro-hydraulic drive system.

According to various estimates, about 40,000 people cross it in both directions every day, it rises approximately 800 times a year, and up to ten times a day in the summer season. Besides being the most famous bridge in the city, along with Buckingham Palace, it is one of the most iconic and photogenic sites to see in London.

Tower Bridge Exhibition

 

The Tower Bridge Exhibition is essentially a museum about Tower Bridge in London. Access is through the north tower, where you will take an elevator to initially see some century-old photos of the bridge’s opening and the Victorian style that prevailed in the city at the time of its construction.

Then, you will move on to the two upper glass walkways, which are completely transparent and house one of the main attractions of the exhibition: the views of London. Just imagine being able to see the skyscraper The Shard, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and The City, the financial heart of the city, from a privileged location.

 

The City of London from Tower Bridge

 

But wait, there’s more! In these walkways, there is a section of glass floor that allows you to see 40 meters down, and it’s the best option to watch the moment when a boat passes under the bridge. It takes 60 to 90 seconds to open, and the entire process of opening and closing takes only 7 minutes. It’s an extremely interesting experience.

Additionally, you can go down to the engine rooms to see how the original Victorian bridge operated. The old hydraulic steam machines consumed 20 tons of coal per week, and up to 80 people were needed for their operation. Using modern technology, the current system that uses electricity has been implemented and is operated by only 12 people.

The exhibition also offers a range of additional facilities that include guides and a highly rated virtual reality tour, as well as a well-stocked gift shop in case you need to get some souvenirs for someone at home or mementos for yourself.

Tour of Tower Bridge, London

Now, if you’re looking for a super complete experience, a full tour of London will take you for an entire day to see the best of the city, including, of course, Tower Bridge.

The itinerary also includes entry to the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, and Piccadilly Circus, the famous intersection located very close to the Soho district in London.

It also includes transportation, food, a guide and a cruise on the Thames.

How to get to Tower Bridge

There are a variety of means of transport to reach this famous London bridge:

1. Train: this London bridge is close to the London Bridge and Fenchurch Street National Rail stations, about a 12-minute walk away.

2. Tube (subway): the Tower Hill station is a seven-minute walk from Tower Bridge, accessible from the District and Circle lines.

3. Bus: routes 15, 42, 78, 100, and 343 will take you to Tower Bridge. We recommend using Google Maps to find the one that suits you best according to your location.

Tower Bridge, hours, and prices

Tower Bridge is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (the last entry is at 5:00 p.m.) except for certain exceptions like December 24 to 26, when it remains closed, and on January 1, when it opens at 10:30 a.m.

The entrance fee ranges from £5.70 for children and young people aged 5 to 15 years to £11.40 for adults.

 

The always cosmopolitan London offers an incredible variety of monuments and activities that will make every trip an unforgettable experience. Discover right now all the tours we offer in the British capital.