Inside Tower Bridge | Glass Walkway, Engine Rooms & More

While the Neo-Gothic façade is world-famous, the Tower Bridge is known for its ingenious Victorian engineering that made it one of the world's most impressive movable bridges.

Must-sees: The Glass Walkway, offering a unique perspective 42 meters above the road, and the Victorian Engine Rooms, home to the bridge's original steam powerhouse.
Pro-tip: The exhibition draws over 850,000 visitors annually. To ensure a smooth visit and avoid congestion when going inside Tower Bridge, always book your timed-entry ticket online in advance.

Know more about: The Glass Walkway | The Victorian Engine Rooms | Tower Bridge Lifts

About the Tower Bridge

What to expect inside Tower Bridge

Secure a timed entry ticket to ensure you skip the main queue and get straight to exploring the mechanics inside Tower Bridge.

The Glass Walkway thrill

Dare to walk 42 meters above the River Thames on the transparent Glass Walkway. This modern addition lets you look straight down onto the moving road traffic and the bascules as they rise and fall.

Victorian engineering secrets

Descend into the hidden power source of the bridge. The massive Victorian Engine Rooms house the original steam engines, boilers, and hydraulic accumulators, a colossal, silent powerhouse that brought this architectural marvel of Tower Bridge history to life for 80 years.

Panoramic London views & history

Explore the historic North and South Towers. From the high-level walkways, you gain uninterrupted, protected sightlines of key London landmarks like the Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral, while learning about the unsung heroes immortalised on the Blue Line path.

What to see inside Tower Bridge

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The North Tower

Your journey begins with an ascent into the North Tower, which focuses on the challenge of building a movable bridge on the Thames.

Immersive exhibits: Explore interactive displays, archival photographs, and films detailing the 8-year construction project, the massive workforce of 432 men, and the original designs submitted to the committee.
Why it matters: Learn how Sir Horace Jones and Sir John Wolfe Barry designed the bascule mechanism, the key to solving the river traffic problem.

The Glass Walkway

Connecting the two towers 42 meters above the river, the high-level walkways are the undisputed highlight of visiting Tower Bridge.

The Glass Floor: Step onto the Glass Walkway panels to look directly down onto the road, river traffic, and pedestrians below.
Panoramic vistas: Take advantage of the wide-angle views of London. Look east toward Canary Wharf and west toward the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Houses of Parliament.
Pro-tip: Time your visit using the official lift schedule. Watching the bascules rise directly beneath the glass floor is an unforgettable experience inside Tower Bridge.

The South Tower

After crossing the walkways, descend through the South Tower, which focuses on the people and maintenance of the landmark.

Staff exhibits: Discover the stories of the people who have maintained and worked inside Tower Bridge since 1894. Exhibits include original tools, staff uniforms, and designs of the bascule chambers.
Why it matters: This section connects the architecture to the hundreds of individuals, from watchmen to tracers, who kept the complex Victorian machine running daily.

The Blue Line

Upon exiting the South Tower, you follow a unique feature: a blue line painted on the pavement that leads directly to the Engine Rooms.

The memorial: The Blue Line is a short path embedded with bronze plaques, each commemorating the unsung heroes who built and operated the bridge. Look for the names of riveters, stokers, and even Hannah Griggs, the cook.
Hidden gem: Created in 2016 in collaboration with local students, this feature is a metaphor for the link between the bridge’s past and present, ensuring the workforce remains part of the narrative inside Tower Bridge.

The Victorian Engine Rooms

After crossing the walkway, descend to the base of the South Tower to visit the historic Engine Rooms, the Tower Bridge Museum's final essential stop.

Steam engines: See the original preserved coal-fired engines, boilers, and six huge hydraulic accumulators that once powered the bascules. These machines were the beating heart inside Tower Bridge until 1976.
Interactive demonstrations: Use hands-on models and informational panels to understand the genius of the Victorian hydraulic system, including how pressure was generated and stored to lift the 1,100-ton bascules reliably.

How to explore inside Tower Bridge

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

Secure your access to go inside Tower Bridge by booking a timed-entry ticket online.
Skip the queue at the ticket office and proceed directly to the security check at the North Tower entrance.
Please arrive at least 15 mins before your scheduled time slot.
While standard tickets are timed, a guided tour offers a hosted entry, removing the stress of finding your way and ensuring you efficiently see all highlights inside Tower Bridge.

Tourists photographing Tower Bridge opening during a sightseeing cruise on the River Thames, London.

Visit first thing in the morning (9:30am) for quieter access to the walkways and better photo opportunities.
Late afternoon sessions are also generally less crowded than mid-day.
Relaxed Opening: Book tickets during the Relaxed Opening sessions (on the second Saturday of every month, from 9:30am to 11am). These are specifically designed for those with sensory requirements, offering a calm, low-sensory environment.
The best time to view a lift from the Glass Walkway is by checking the official lift schedule before booking. Watching the bascules rise from 42 meters above is an unparalleled experience.

Person walking on Tower Bridge in London at sunset with city skyline in background.

Allow approximately 90 mins for a standard visit that includes exploring both Towers, the Glass Walkway, and the Engine Rooms.
Quick 60-min route: North Tower exhibits (15 min) → Glass Walkway (20 min) → Descend South Tower → Engine Rooms (25 min)
Longer 2-hour route: Follow the 60-min route, but add a detailed exploration of the Blue Line plaques, a full exploration of the exhibition in the South Tower, and watch the film screenings in the Engine Rooms.

Tower Bridge sign with City of London crest.

Accessibility: The entire experience inside Tower Bridge is fully accessible. Lifts are available at all stages, including the North Tower, walkways, and the Victorian Engine Rooms.
Bags and security: All bags are subject to search. Large luggage, rolling bags, or rucksacks exceeding 45x35x20cm are strictly prohibited as there is no cloakroom facility inside Tower Bridge.
Photography: While photography is permitted, large tripods are not allowed on the Glass Walkway to ensure safety and prevent damage to the floor panels.
Combo tickets: Tower Bridge is conveniently located near popular attractions such as the Tower of London and The Shard. Consider purchasing a combo ticket to make the most of your visit and explore multiple landmarks in the area.

Frequently asked questions about going inside Tower Bridge

Can you go inside Tower Bridge, and what is included?

Yes, you can absolutely go inside Tower Bridge! Your ticket grants access to the Tower Bridge Exhibition, which includes the entire self-guided tour: ascending the North Tower, crossing the panoramic Glass Walkway 42 meters above the Thames, descending the South Tower, and exploring the historic Victorian Engine Rooms.

Is the Glass Walkway included with all tickets to go inside Tower Bridge?

Yes. The Glass Walkway, which connects the two towers and offers unparalleled bird's-eye views of the river and road below, is a key component and is included with every standard admission ticket to the exhibition.

Do I need a separate ticket for the Victorian Engine Rooms?

No, access to the Victorian Engine Rooms is included in your standard ticket to the Tower Bridge Exhibition. The Engine Rooms are the final part of the self-guided tour after you descend from the high-level walkways.

Is the Tower Bridge Blue Line a ticketed feature?

No. The Blue Line is a short, commemorative path marked with bronze plaques that leads from the South Tower exit to the Engine Rooms. It is an open-air feature, but you must have completed the ticketed exhibition route to access it sequentially.

Is going inside Tower Bridge worth the price of admission?

Absolutely. While the exterior is beautiful, going inside Tower Bridge provides an essential understanding of its genius. You gain access to the Victorian Engine Rooms (a unique piece of industrial history) and the Glass Walkway (a spectacular viewpoint), making the immersive experience worthwhile for all visitors.

Who designed and built the interior of Tower Bridge?

The bridge was designed by architect Sir Horace Jones and engineered by Sir John Wolfe Barry. The ingenious hydraulic system found in the Engine Rooms, which powers the bridge, was developed by Sir William Armstrong. Going inside Tower Bridge reveals the detailed work of these Victorian innovators.

How long should I plan to spend inside Tower Bridge?

Most visitors spend an average of 90 mins inside the exhibition, which is sufficient time to explore all the historical displays, cross the Glass Walkway, follow the Blue Line, and fully appreciate the machinery in the Engine Rooms.

Can I climb the stairs to go inside Tower Bridge, or is it only by lift?

Visitors can ascend the original Victorian staircase in the North Tower, but lifts are available to all levels, making the entire route inside Tower Bridge fully accessible. We recommend using the lifts if you have mobility concerns.

Is photography allowed inside Tower Bridge?

Yes, photography is permitted throughout the interior, including the Glass Walkway, the Towers, and the Engine Rooms. It is one of the best places in London to capture unique panoramic views. Please note that large tripods are generally discouraged.

Is Tower Bridge a suspension bridge?

No, Tower Bridge is often mistaken for a suspension bridge, but it is actually a combination of a bascule bridge (the lifting central section) and a suspension bridge (the fixed side spans). The bascule mechanism, visible in the Engine Rooms, is its defining feature.