As many as 40,000 vehicles cross over Tower Bridge every single day, making it a key player in the city’s transport infrastructure – as well as a popular attraction for visitors, famed for its iconic Gothic towers.
When construction work on the new bridge was completed in 1894, it was a marvel of modern engineering, which took around 400 workers eight years to finish. Created when the traffic in the heart of the city was increasing rapidly, it was designed to complement the architectural style of the Tower of London just a short walk away on its north side – another well-known icon of the cityscape.
Once upon a time, this bridge was raised dozens of times each and every day, its two halves lifted by a steam-powered hydraulic system so that the Thames’s large volume of river traffic could pass through. Today, the bridge is opened as many as 1000 times a year, albeit operated by a modern electrical system.
You can cross the two covered walkways that link the two towers. These were designed as pedestrian walkways to be used when the bridge was raised, but are now in use as gallery and exhibition spots. For a small entry fee you can also enjoy the great views of the city up and down the river.
To learn more about the bridge, how it was made and how it has been operated through the years, check out the Tower Bridge Exhibition. Here you’ll also learn about some of the famous incidents the bridge has witnessed, including daring fly-unders conducted by bold pilots. In its Victorian Engine Rooms, you can indulge your senses with the sounds and smells of the bridge back when it was operated by steam power.
Located at the edge of the City of London, Tower Bridge is close to Tower Hill Underground station. One of the most photographed sights anywhere in the world, bring your camera along with you when you visit!
