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4.5(19,235)

Tower Bridge Engine Rooms Tickets

Included with Tower Bridge tickets

Timings

RECOMMENDED DURATION

2 hours

Victorian steam engines in the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms, London, with informational displays.

From happy customers

Loved by 44 million+
Izabela Skwarzec

Izabela

Oct 2025
5/5
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Everything was absolutely amazing, person telling the story about how the bridge was built. We enjoyed and definitely worth.
Rian La Jon Kirt
US

Rian

United States
Oct 2025
5/5
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+1 more

The staff were kind, very informative, and the experience overall was amazing! We went around 12pm and there was no wait time! It wasn't crowded so we could climb stairs and walk at our own pace! The glass floor was stunning to walk across and see the cars driving underneath you on the bridge! I would highly recommend
Santina Pulli'

Santina

Aug 2025
5/5
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+1 more

The tour met my expectations and our guide, Connor was fantastic, very comprehensive in his stories and at the same time entertaining, we had a wonderful time together.
Gervasio Parente
DE

Gervasio

Germany
Jul 2025
5/5
That's what we needed: I think that paying the single ticket isn't sometime worthy for some attraction but the London ticket prices was fair enough.

Victorian Engine Rooms | Tower Bridge's industrial heart

These meticulously preserved Victorian Engine Rooms are the original steam-powered core of the bridge. They showcase the ingenious Victorian engineering and hydraulics that once raised the bridge bascules, allowing ships to pass. Visiting the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms provides a unique insight into the industrial history of the landmark.

Where is it located?

The Tower Bridge Engine Room is situated on the south side of the River Thames, at the base of the South Tower. It acts as the final exhibition space and the exit point for the entire Tower Bridge experience.

How to access?

Access to the Tower Bridge Engine Room is included with all standard Tower Bridge entry tickets. You visit it after descending the South Tower, following a marked blue line on the pavement. No separate ticket is needed.

Things to know before booking Tower Bridge Engine Rooms tickets

  • Access is guaranteed: Access to the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms is guaranteed with all general admission and combo tickets. You do not need to purchase an upgrade. The Engine Rooms serve as the final part of your self-guided tour after you descend the South Tower.
  • Accessibility: The Tower Bridge Engine Rooms are fully wheelchair accessible. While the main exhibition starts in the North Tower (which has lifts), the entrance to the Engine Rooms (located on the south side) is also fully accessible via a dedicated external lift. This ensures all visitors can marvel at the original steam engines.
  • Location and flow: You must begin your visit at the main North Tower entrance. The Tower Bridge Engine Rooms are the final stop and act as the exit point for the exhibition. You cannot start your visit here.
  • Photography: Non-flash photography is allowed inside the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms. The lighting is intentionally dim to enhance the atmosphere of the machinery, so be prepared to adjust your camera settings.

Tower Bridge Engine Rooms in a nutshell

  • Must-see highlights: Massive, original Victorian steam engines and hydraulic machinery that powered the bridge lift for 80 years. See the preserved boilers and drivetrains that are an engineering marvel.
  • Current use: Now obsolete after being replaced by an electric system, the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms serves as a museum, educating visitors on the ingenious Victorian mechanics.
  • Unique facts: The original Tower Bridge Engine Room machinery could raise the 1,000-ton bascules (the lifting arms) in just one minute. It required 80 workers to keep the system running.

Your Tower Bridge Engine Rooms ticket types

Ticket typeStandard entry ticketsSkip-the-line guided tourCombo tours

Is Tower Bridge Engine Rooms access included?

Yes

Yes

Yes

Why go for it?

• Most affordable option • Explore the Tower Bridge Engine Room at your own pace.

• Expert guide provides deep context on the Victorian machinery inside the Tower Bridge Engine Room.

• Visit the Tower Bridge Engine Room, plus entry to another major London sight (like Westminster Abbey).

Starting price

From £12.80

From £132

From £24.98

Architectural highlights of the Victorian Engine Rooms

Victorian pumping station

Built in 1894, the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms house the original, immense steam engines that powered the bascules (lifting arms) for the first 80 years. This industrial heritage is a perfect example of Victorian-era engineering ingenuity.

Hydraulic power system

The exhibition details how the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms used a centralised hydraulic system. Coal-fired boilers generated steam, which drove massive pumping engines, transmitting power through pressurised water to operate the bridge.

Preservation and design

The Tower Bridge Engine Rooms are immaculately preserved, showcasing the original machinery, including steam accumulators and drive trains. The cast-iron structure reflects the functional, robust aesthetic common to 19th-century industrial architecture.

Historical and cultural significance of the Engine Rooms

The Tower Bridge Engine Rooms showcase the ingenious Victorian engineering that powered the bridge's bascule system. Opened in 1894, the Tower Bridge Engine Room originally housed massive steam engines, boilers, and accumulators, critical components that allowed the bridge to lift for river traffic. This exhibit preserves a unique period of industrial history and highlights the mechanical innovation required to create the world's most famous movable bridge.

Notable figures of the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms

Sir William Armstrong

He invented the hydraulic accumulator showcased in the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms, powering the bascules until 1976.

Sir John Wolfe Barry

Chief Engineer who designed the bascule system and worked with Armstrong to integrate the impressive hydraulic machinery into the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms.

Edward Cruttwell

The vital Resident Engineer who oversaw the construction and installation of the complex mechanisms now housed in the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms.

Edward 'Ted' Forrest

Longest-serving worker (nearly 40 years) whose memory and image are featured in the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms, representing the maintenance staff.

Know before you go

The Tower Bridge Engine Rooms exhibition is open daily from 9:30am to 6pm, with the last entry at 5pm.

Since the Engine Rooms are the final part of the exhibition, you should plan to spend the last 20–30 mins of your visit here. The entire Tower Bridge exhibition usually takes around 90 mins.

The Tower Bridge Engine Rooms exhibition is located in the historic structure beneath the South Tower on the south bank of the Thames. Access is after you have completed the Glass Walkway and exited the South Tower. Follow the Blue Line on the pavement from the South Tower to reach the Tower Bridge Engine Room entrance.

The Tower Bridge Engine Rooms are fully accessible via a separate external lift, ensuring step-free entry. Once inside, the area is level and easy to navigate.

Complimentary wheelchairs are available to borrow here, making the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms suitable for all visitors.

  • Don't miss the chance to hear the specially designed soundscape, which immerses you in the thunderous noise of the 19th-century steam engines in operation.
  • Due to the dim, atmospheric lighting, use the unique industrial shadows to capture dramatic, moody photos of the vast iron machinery in the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms.
  • Look for the massive coal-fired boilers and the preserved machinery, which illustrate the genius of Victorian engineering.
  • Be sure to examine the massive hydraulic accumulators. These are the engineering geniuses behind the bridge's power—look for the detailed models showing how they stored energy.
  • Don't just focus on the large engines. Look for the small control room exhibits and the interactive displays detailing the history of the 80 workers who maintained the power system.

Frequently asked questions about the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms tickets

Are the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms included with my standard ticket?

Yes, full access to the historic Tower Bridge Engine Rooms exhibition is included with all general admission and combo tickets.

Are the Engine Rooms accessible if I only want to see the machinery?

No. The Tower Bridge Engine Rooms are part of the full exhibition flow. You must first enter the North Tower and walk the high-level walkways before descending to the Engine Rooms.

Are the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms are fully accessible via a separate external lift, ensuring all visitors can see the massive Victorian machinery.

How much time should I allocate for the Engine Rooms exhibition?

Plan to spend about 20–30 mins exploring the original machinery and interactive exhibits in the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms.

Can I see the bridge lifting mechanism working inside the Engine Rooms?

While the original machinery is preserved, the modern bridge is operated electronically. The Tower Bridge Engine Rooms show the historical, steam-powered mechanism.

Are the Engine Rooms the entrance or exit point of the exhibition?

The Tower Bridge Engine Rooms area is the exit point. You enter the exhibition via the North Tower and finish your visit here before exiting.

Are there restrooms or facilities inside the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms?

Yes, restrooms and a gift shop are located within the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms area, which is the final section before you exit the attraction.

Can guided tours provide deeper insight into the Engine Rooms’ technology?

Yes. Guided tours often include expert commentary on the ingenious Victorian hydraulics and engineering found within the Tower Bridge Engine Room.

Are the Engine Rooms cold or noisy?

The Tower Bridge Engine Rooms are typically a comfortable temperature. It features a soundscape that recreates the historical noise of the working steam engines.

Why is the original Engine Room’s machinery no longer in use?

The steam machinery in the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms was replaced in 1976 by modern electric drives, which are cleaner, quieter, and more efficient for raising the bascules.