Tower Bridge Exhibition

Tower Bridge is one of the most recognized bridges in the world and the views of London from the high walkways are impressive. When it was built, Tower Bridge was the largest and most sophisticated bascule bridge ever built ("bascule" comes from the French for "see-saw").

Pros:

• Completely accessible
• Knowledgeable lift attendants
• Information in 7 languages

Cons:

• Not much to do - just enjoy the views

Visit duration:

1.5 hours

Bridge Lifts

When Tower Bridge was powered by steam it raised 600 times a year but now it is powered by electric motors it is raised about 1,000 times a year. Tower Bridge needs to lift to allow tall ships, cruise ships, naval vessels, and other large craft to pass through.You can check the bridge lift schedule so you can try and time your visit to see this great sight.

In 1884, Horace Jones and John Wolfe Barry started building Tower Bridge but Horace Jones died a year later. John Wolfe Barry continued and it took 8 years to build. 432 men were employed to build the bridge and over the 8 years only 10 men died which is quite exceptional as there were no health and safety rules back then.

Two massive piers had to be sunk into the river bed to support the construction and over 11,000 tons of Scottish steel provided the framework for the Towers and Walkways, with 2 million rivets holding it all together. This was then clad in Cornish granite and Portland stone; both to protect the underlying steelwork and to give the Bridge a more pleasing appearance. The Prince of Wales opened Tower Bridge on 30 June 1984.

On 28 December 1952, a number 78 double decker bus failed to stop as the Bridge began to rise. It just managed to clear the three feet drop to the other bascule. No photographs exit, but an artist's impression immortalized the event. (See opposite.)

In 1954, the Royal Yacht Britannia was welcomed home after the Queen's world tour with a message on the high walkways.

In 1976, Tower Bridge was painted red, white, and blue to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee (25 years as Queen).

Learn more about the history of Tower Bridge.

Opening Hours

Open Daily
1 April - 30 September: 10am - 6.30pm (last admission 5.30pm)
1 October - 31 March: 09.30am - 6pm (last admission 5.30pm)
Closed 24 and 25 December.

Contact details

Address:
Tower Bridge Exhibition
Tower Bridge
London
SE1 2UP

Telephone: +44 (0) 207 403 3761

Fax: +44 (0) 207 357 7935

Email: enquiries@towerbridge.org.uk

Nearest Tube Stations:

• Tower Hill
• London Bridge

Tickets

There is a charge for the Tower Bridge Exhibition. See the latest admission prices. I would recommend getting a London Pass and combining a trip to the Tower Bridge Exhibition with the Tower of London to make it a better value day out.

Book a Private Tour of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.

Where to Eat Locally

• St. Katherine's Dock (I've tried Dicken's Inn and The Riverside Cafe and can recommend both)
• Cafe in the basement of City Hall.
• The Refectory at Southwark Cathedral

Local Attractions

• Tower of London
• And many more on the South Bank including HMS Belfast, Golden Hinde, Vinopolis, and short walk to Tate Modern, and the London Eye.

From the ticket office in the north tower, you start with an elevator (lift) up to one of the high walkways, 42 meters above the River Thames. The lift attendant explains what to expect on the high walkways. There is a short video to watch when you arrive at the top and another over in the south tower. These videos are informative and bring the history of Tower Bridge to life.

There are two high walkways offering incredible views and there is some signs to explain the history of Tower Bridge. There is usually a temporary exhibition in one of the walkways so you can learn something topical. I discovered the Thames is 9 meters deep at low tide and there are 100 species of fish living below the bridge.

The elevator (lift) down is from the south tower and takes you to bridge level. From there you follow a blue line painted on the sidewalk (pavement), go down some steps and enter the Victorian Engine Rooms. If you can't manage the steps (I couldn't with my daughter's stroller) it's a short walk to the end of the bridge and turn left, left, left and you'll reach the same spot.

In the engine rooms you can learn about hydraulic power and be amazed by this masterpiece of Victorian engineering. Learn about the 6 stages of steam and hydraulic power used from 1894 to 1976. In 1976 Tower Bridge changed to electric power.

There is a visitor questionnaire at the end which you can do on a touch screen or on paper, before visiting the small gift shop selling plenty of London souvenirs.