Tower Bridge

Overview

Tower Bridge is the absolute, unquestionable defining landmark of London's skyline. This staggeringly massive, incredibly complex Victorian neo-Gothic bascule and suspension bridge brilliantly spans the River Thames directly next to the Tower of London.

Highlights

• The Glass Floor: Walk directly across the impossibly high, deeply thrilling transparent glass walkways situated 42 metres violently above the murky waters of the Thames.
• The Engine Rooms: Descend deeply into the original, beautifully preserved Victorian engine rooms to see the massive, wildly complex steam engines that originally powered the heavy bridge lifts.
• The Bridge Lift: If you time it perfectly, watching the incredibly massive, incredibly heavy road brilliantly separate and tilt upward for passing tall ships is a breathtaking spectacle.

History

Constructed intensely over eight years and opened in 1894, it was brilliantly designed specifically to ease terrible road congestion while still critically allowing heavy, tall-masted ship traffic access to the highly lucrative Pool of London docks. Its gorgeous, detailed Gothic stonework was specifically demanded to seamlessly blend with the adjacent, ancient Tower of London.

Visitor Tips

• Lift Times: Always check the completely public official website for scheduled bridge lifts before you go; they happen unpredictably throughout the week.
• Photography: Walk directly along the South Bank slightly toward London Bridge for the absolute, undeniably best sweeping panoramic shots of the entire structure.