Tower Bridge stands as a monumental achievement of Victorian engineering, seamlessly blending functionality with Neo-Gothic grandeur. Despite its ancient appearance, the design was considered wildly modern for the 1890s, requiring more steel than the Eiffel Tower to build its framework. Delve into Tower Bridge history to discover how this ingenious drawbridge became London's most famous structure.
The towers hold 130+ years of secrets. Don't just read the Tower Bridge history—hear the untold stories of the architects, engineers, and workers who built it.
It represents a pinnacle of Victorian engineering, successfully solving the conflict between the need for a lower road crossing and the necessity of maintaining the River Thames’s busy shipping access.
They are often confused due to their proximity. However, the ornate, famous Tower Bridge is a distinct, Victorian marvel located near the Tower of London, while London Bridge is much older and plainer.
They were built to allow pedestrians to cross the river even when the bascules were raised. They were closed in 1910 due to lack of use, as people preferred to wait below.
As a key landmark and connection point to the Port of London, the bridge suffered some damage from enemy attacks between 1940 and 1942 but was quickly repaired and remained operational.
The design was chosen by Sir Horace Jones and Sir John Wolfe Barry. The bridge was opened by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII).
It originally ran on a massive coal-fired steam hydraulic system until 1974, when it was upgraded to the current, quieter, and more efficient electro-hydraulic system.
Yes, you can join a guided tour to learn more about the bridge’s history. The standard ticket also grants access to the Tower Bridge exhibition, which includes the historic Engine Rooms and narratives detailing the full construction and operational history.
Construction officially began on April 22, 1886, under architect Sir Horace Jones, launching an eight year engineering project. More than 11,000 tons of steel formed the framework, later covered with Cornish granite and Portland stone to create the bridge’s Gothic appearance.
.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&w=702.4499999999999&h=401.4&q=90&ar=7%3A4&crop=faces&fit=crop)
Tower Bridge officially opened on June 30, 1894, by the Prince and Princess of Wales, later King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. The bridge immediately began carrying both road traffic and river vessels through its opening bascules.
The upper pedestrian walkways closed to the public because very few people used them. Most pedestrians preferred waiting for the bridge to lower instead of climbing the towers, and the isolated walkways also raised safety concerns.
The remaining sections of Tower Bridge received Grade I Listed status on September 27, 1973, recognising its historic and architectural importance. In 1977, the bridge was repainted in its famous red, white, and blue colours for Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee celebrations.
Tower Bridge began replacing its original coal fired steam hydraulics in 1974 with a modern electro hydraulic system powered by electric pumps and oil hydraulics. By 1976, the Victorian steam system had been fully retired.
The preserved Victorian machinery beneath the southern approach was opened as part of the Tower Bridge Exhibition. Visitors could now see the original steam engines and learn how the bridge’s powerful lifting system once operated.
Tower Bridge became one of the defining visual icons of the London Olympics. Olympic rings were suspended between the bascules, and the bridge also appeared in the memorable James Bond opening ceremony sequence featuring Daniel Craig and a stunt double for Queen Elizabeth II.
The refurbished high level walkways reopened with transparent glass floor panels that allowed visitors to look directly down onto the traffic and River Thames below. The west glass floor opened on November 10, 2014, followed by the east walkway on December 1, 2014.
While the Glass Walkway opened in 2014, the bridge underwent a massive, ongoing £4 million renovation. This included a three-month closure in 2016 for critical work on the suspension bridge's bearings and the complete resurfacing of the road deck, ensuring the 19th-century structure could safely carry 21st-century traffic.
Tower Bridge is managed by the City of London Corporation and remains one of the most critical and impressive crossings over the River Thames. Unlike many historical sites, Tower Bridge continues to operate daily as both a piece of vital infrastructure and a premier visitor attraction.
Despite its age, the bridge is used by over 40,000 people and 21,000 vehicles daily. It still lifts approximately 800 times a year, now powered by an efficient electric system. Although the Victorian steam engines were retired in 1974, the machinery is immaculately preserved in the Engine Rooms. Recognised worldwide (from the Olympics to postcards), the bridge is a protected Grade I Listed Building.
Tower Bridge and Engine Rooms Guided Tour with Thames River Cruise
Tower Bridge and Engine Rooms Entry Tickets
Combo (Save 8%): Tower of London + Tower Bridge Tickets
Combo (Save 14%): Tower Bridge Tickets + Flexible Thames River Cruise
