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Quick Information

ADDRESS

Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP, UK

RECOMMENDED DURATION

2 hours

Timings

09:30–18:00

VISITORS PER YEAR

800000

TICKETS

From $17.29

NUMBER OF ENTRANCES

2

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD

30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

Plan your visit

Did you know?

Despite its medieval appearance, Tower Bridge is relatively young, opening in 1894, contrasting with the Tower of London's 11th-century origins. Tower Bridge has a castle-like appearance, its Neo-Gothic style was intentionally chosen to complement the nearby White Tower.

Following a public competition where over 50 designs were submitted, architect Sir Horace Jones and civil engineer Sir John Wolfe Barry collaborated on Tower Bridge's design. Initially rejected, their adapted proposal was approved by Parliament in November 1884. Tragically, Jones passed away a year into construction, never witnessing the bridge's completion.

Tower Bridge took eight years to build and over £1 million to complete, showcasing immense skill and dedication. Divers worked in the River Thames bed, while riveter squads inserted over 13 million rivets into the steel, contributing to the bridge's construction.

What to see inside Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge spanning the River Thames in London, with blue sky background.

North Tower

Your tour starts here, where accessible lifts or a grand Victorian staircase take you up. Explore interactive displays and exhibits detailing the history of the Tower Bridge's construction, engineering challenges, and the dedicated workforce of the nineteenth century.

Visitors walking on the glass walkway inside Tower Bridge, London.

The Glass Walkway

This permanent feature sits 42 meters (138 feet) above the River Thames. Step onto the Glass Floor to experience a bird's-eye view. Watch the red London buses and pedestrians moving beneath your feet as river traffic passes below.

Tower Bridge in London with its bascules raised for a bridge lift.

South Tower & The Blue Line

After crossing the walkways, descend through the South Tower. Here, films and plaques commemorate the workers who kept the Tower Bridge running. Follow the Blue Line path outside to the Engine Rooms, symbolising the journey of the bridge's unsung heroes.

Engine room machinery at Tower Bridge, London, with visitors observing.

The Engine Rooms

Discover the industrial power hidden beneath the bridge. This area showcases the original Victorian steam engines, coal-fired boilers, and the hydraulic system that effortlessly lifted the bridge's thousand-tonne bascules until the 1970s.

Brief history of Tower Bridge

The story of Tower Bridge began in the late 19th century when the City of London needed a solution to ease growing road traffic while maintaining access for large ships to the Pool of London. Designed by architect Sir Horace Jones and engineer Sir John Wolfe Barry, construction commenced in 1886.

The ingenious structure, a combination of bascule (lifting) and suspension bridge, was completed 8 years later and inaugurated on June 30, 1894, by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

In 1976, the Victorian steam-driven hydraulic system was replaced by an electric-powered system. The exhibition, now inside the bridge, reopened the high-level walkways to the public in 1982.

​Tower Bridge history

Architecture of Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge London

Tower Bridge is a masterpiece of Victorian design, constructed between 1886 and 1894. Designed by architect Sir Horace Jones and engineered by Sir John Wolfe Barry, the structure is a composite bridge, combining elements of a suspension bridge (the side spans) and a central bascule bridge.

Its distinctive Neo-Gothic style, characterised by pointed arches and decorative towers, was deliberately chosen to harmonise with the nearby Tower of London. This styling successfully masked the bridge's revolutionary engineering: two massive, equal bascules (from the French word for "seesaw") that can be raised to an 86-degree angle to allow river traffic through. Originally powered by steam, the bridge switched to oil and electricity in 1976, yet the original hydraulic pumping engines remain visible within the Engine Rooms.

Tower Bridge Lifts

The Tower Bridge was designed to balance the needs of road traffic with river commerce. That original function continues today!

The bridge is raised approximately 850 times each year for registered vessels requiring 30 feet or more clearance. This service is managed under the Corporation of London Act 1885 and is provided entirely free of charge. Witnessing the massive bascules rise is a spectacular, live demonstration of Victorian ingenuity, showcasing how the structure still prioritises river traffic, maintaining a tradition over a century old.

​Know more

Tower Bridge onscreen

  • Movies: The bridge has been a key set piece in major films, notably appearing in the climactic final act of Spider-Man: Far From Home, featuring in high-octane sequences in The Mummy Returns, and acting as an essential romantic backdrop in Bridget Jones’s Diary.
  • Television & music videos: On the small screen, it’s been featured in popular TV shows like Doctor Who ("Aliens in London") and Killing Eve. It also regularly appears in music videos and commercials.
  • Video games: The bridge’s unique structure makes it a favourite for virtual worlds, featured prominently in games like Assassin’s Creed Syndicate and The Getaway: Black Monday.

Frequently asked questions about Tower Bridge

What type of bridge is Tower Bridge?

It is technically a combination bridge: the central lifting section is a bascule bridge, while the two side spans connecting the shore to the towers are suspension bridges.

Why is Tower Bridge named that?

Tower Bridge is named for its proximity to the Tower of London fortress, whose Neo-Gothic architecture it was designed to complement.

When was Tower Bridge built?

Construction began in 1886 and was completed in 1894, taking 8 years. It was an extraordinary feat of Victorian engineering designed by architect Sir Horace Jones and civil engineer Sir John Wolfe-Barry.

What material is Tower Bridge made of?

The bridge's framework uses over 11,000 tonnes of steel for its skeleton. This structure is covered by decorative cladding made of Cornish granite and Portland stone to give it its historic look.

How does the bridge open for river traffic?

It is a bascule bridge, meaning its two roadway halves pivot upward like a seesaw. Originally steam-powered, the mechanism now uses an efficient electro-hydraulic system to raise the leaves in about 60 seconds.

Is Tower Bridge the same as London Bridge?

No, they are two separate bridges about 1km apart. Tower Bridge is the visually distinctive one with the two towers, while London Bridge, located upstream, is simpler and much older.

What was the original colour of Tower Bridge?

When the bridge first opened, it was painted a dull, "bright chocolate" brown. The famous red, white, and blue colour scheme was applied much later, in 1977, to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee.

What can visitors see inside the exhibition?

Visitors can access the high-level walkways for panoramic city views (including the famous Glass Floor) and explore the historic Victorian Engine Rooms, which house the original steam power system.

More Reads

Tower Bridge London

History of Tower Bridge

Visiting Tower Bridge London

Plan Your Visit

Tower Bridge Tickets

Tower Bridge Exhibition