London Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is one of London's most recognized landmarks and one of the most recognized bridges in the world

Striking view of the Tower Bridge at dusk
Striking view of the Tower Bridge at dusk cc licensed photo by James Petts

One of London's most iconic landmarks, Tower Bridge is one attraction you won't want to miss seeing up close. You might also want to check out the Tower Bridge Exhibition where you can learn more about the history of the bridge and enjoy some great views of London from the upper walkways.

London's Tower Bridge was constructed between 1884 and 1892 to fill the need for an additional crossing over the Thames River east of London Bridge. The challenge was to build a bridge without disrupting the river traffic. This resulted in the final design which utilized bascules (counterbalanced spans) between two tall towers that could be raised to allow ships to pass through. The powerful hydraulic system that opens the bridge is located in the base of the towers and can raise the bridge in just one minute. Originally powered by steam, they have been converted to oil and electricity since 1976.

The upper portion of the towers are joined by a unique high level walkway that allowed foot traffic to cross the bridge when the spans where raised. These were closed in 1910 due to lack of use and crime, but reopened in 1982 as part of the Tower Bridge Exhibition. In 2014 glass floors were installed in the walkways enabling visitors to experience a dizzying straight down view as they walk across the bridge.

Tower Bridge is located adjacent to the Tower of London so you may want to combine both into one visit.

The Tower Bridge Exhibition is open daily from 10am to 5:30pm during Summer and from 9:30am to 5pm during Winter except on December 24th to 26th. There is a nominal admission charge to see the inside exhibits.

For more information about Tower Bridge including hours and admission charges for the Tower Bridge Exhibition visit their official website at the link below.



Facts For Your Visit

Fee: No - except for the inside exhibits which you can purchase tickets for on the official website.

Tower Bridge Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Thursday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Friday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Saturday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Address: Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP, UK

Phone: 020 7407 9191

Official Website: Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge Reviews

Rated 4.8 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating Tower Bridge is often mistakenly called London Bridge, but its majestic neo-Gothic towers and striking blue suspension cables make it the most recognizable and beloved crossing over the River Thames. Exploring the inside of this working bridge offers a brilliant mix of sweeping city views and fascinating historical machinery, making it an excellent stop on any London itinerary. Highlights of the Experience The Glass Floor: The high-level walkways, suspended 42 meters above the river, feature a spectacular glass floor section. Stepping onto the glass is an absolute thrill that easily captivates a 10-year-old's imagination, providing a dizzying, bird's-eye view of passing red double-decker buses, pedestrians, and river boats directly beneath your feet. The Victorian Engine Rooms: Located down at street level on the south side of the bridge, this section houses the beautifully maintained, massive original steam engines that used to power the bridge lifts. It brings 19th-century industrial history to life in a highly visual way. Panoramic Views: The walkways offer stunning, unobstructed sightlines to the Tower of London, The Shard, HMS Belfast, and the bustling river traffic, making it a phenomenal vantage point for photography. Accessibility and Practicalities Barrier-Free Access: The architectural logistics of this historic site are brilliantly handled for all visitors. Accessing the high-level walkways and the Engine Rooms with a wheelchair is beautifully seamless, thanks to spacious lifts in both towers and completely level pathways throughout the attraction, ensuring the panoramic views are open to everyone without hassle. Bridge Lifts: If timed correctly, you can stand on the walkway and watch the massive bascules open to let a tall vessel pass below. Checking the official bridge lift schedule online before visiting adds a highly memorable element of surprise to the day. Final Verdict Going inside the monument is far more engaging than simply walking across the pavement outside. It delivers an incredibly accessible, family-friendly adventure that brilliantly balances London's modern skyline with its rich engineering past, providing entertainment and historical awe in equal measure.
Sriram Vasudevan - 2 weeks ago

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5 Star Rating I recently visited Tower Bridge in London, and even though I went alone and didn’t go up to the upper walkways, the experience was unforgettable. Tower Bridge is a true architectural marvel, and it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. The bridge's intricate design, with its majestic towers and Gothic features, is a sight to behold. It stands as a perfect blend of historic charm and modern functionality. Walking along the bridge offers stunning views of the Thames River and the surrounding cityscape. The panorama of the Tower of London, the Shard, and the various boats passing underneath is simply breathtaking. Even without going up to the walkways, the ground-level view is worth every moment. You can feel the history and significance of the place just by being there. I highly recommend taking a walk across the bridge, especially if you're a lover of architecture or history. The walk gives you time to appreciate the finer details of the bridge's construction and the thought that went into its design. It’s also a great spot for photos, so make sure to bring your camera! The area around Tower Bridge is lively and full of things to see and do. From the bridge, it’s easy to explore nearby attractions like the Tower of London or take a stroll along the Thames Path. The bridge is more than just a crossing; it’s a place where history and modernity meet, making it a must-visit for anyone in London. Even on a solo visit, Tower Bridge offers an enriching experience that’s hard to match.
Maria Frangieh - 2 years ago

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5 Star Rating Tower Bridge is one of London’s most fascinating and photographed landmarks, and it is definitely worth visiting even without going inside. Crossing it on foot is free and allows you to admire its imposing Victorian architecture, its two impressive towers and the distinctive blue structures that make it instantly recognisable. The walk across the bridge offers wonderful views of the River Thames, the Tower of London, HMS Belfast, a Town class light cruiser built for the Royal Navy, and the City skyline. On the other side, Butler’s Wharf and the riverside walk are perfect places to stop, take photographs and enjoy the London atmosphere among historic buildings, boats and waterside bars and restaurants. I recommend visiting in the late afternoon, around sunset or in the evening. The lights make the bridge even more impressive and, when the evening illuminations come on, the view becomes truly spectacular. At both ends of the bridge, beside the road, there are stairways leading down to the river. These are the Horsleydown Steps, on the south eastern side of Tower Bridge, near Shad Thames and Butler’s Wharf. From there, you can make your way down towards the River Thames at low tide and photograph the bridge from almost directly below, creating a very dramatic composition with the towers dominating the scene. Please be careful, as the steps and the riverbank can be slippery, especially after rain or when the tide is high. Even without visiting the interior, Tower Bridge is an experience not to be missed during a stay in London. Enjoy your day and your evening.
Dario Ferro - a month ago

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5 Star Rating Tower Bridge is an iconic and must-visit attraction in London. Its impressive architecture and historic charm make it a standout sight. Walking across the bridge offers fantastic views of the Thames and the city skyline. You can also explore the Tower Bridge Exhibition to learn about its history and enjoy panoramic views from the high-level walkways. Its close proximity to the Tower of London makes it a great spot to include in your sightseeing itinerary. Overall, a visit to Tower Bridge is definitely worthwhile and a highlight of any trip to London.
Qhulz - 3 months ago

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5 Star Rating The most iconic landmark of London and one of the most famous and most beautiful bridges in the whole world. I included the walk over this bridge into my 90 kilometres walk through all of Greater London from the westernmost to the easternmost point of the city. It was really amazing being on the bridge, after seeing it so many times on TV.
Dean Djakovic - 2 months ago

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Directions

Tube Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Northern and Jubilee LinesLondon Bridge Station12 MInutes
District and Circle LinesTower Hill Station10 MInutes

How to get to Tower Bridge by Tube

From London Bridge Tube Station on the south bank exit onto Tooley Street and walk to your right (east) to Potters Field Park and then north through the park to the foot of the bridge.

From Tower Hill Station on the north bank exit to the south and follow Tower Hill Terrace east to the Tower Bridge approach.

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