Tower Bridge spans the Thames just downstream of the Tower of London, and is so synonymous with Britain that it appears on everything from biscuit tins to passport covers. It took eight years to build, used 11,000 tonnes of steel, and was opened by the Prince of Wales in June 1894.
How the Bridge Works
Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge. The two bascules — each weighing over 1,000 tonnes — can be raised in about five minutes to allow tall vessels through. This happens around 800 times a year. You can check the schedule on the official site and watch from the banks for free.
The Tower Bridge Exhibition
The Tower Bridge Exhibition takes you through the Victorian engine rooms and up into the high-level walkways, where a glass floor gives vertigo-inducing views down to the river. The engine rooms still contain the original Victorian steam engines, now displayed rather than operated.
Getting There
The nearest Tube stations are Tower Hill on the Circle and District lines. It is a ten-minute walk from London Bridge station. The Tower of London is directly adjacent — combining both visits in a single morning makes excellent sense.
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