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TOWER BRIDGE -THE LONDON LANDMARK SINCE 1894

London other attractions and things to do

(Image credit-:Photo2023, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Tower bridge is an iconic structure and the London’s defining landmark. It is often mistaken for London Bridge which is not very far from the Tower bridge. In 1884, when the City of London Corporation faced a challenge to build a bridge without disrupting river traffic, they conducted a public competition to find a design. The design of Sir Horace Jones, the City Architect, in collaboration with Sir John Wolfe Barry was selected as the best design and got green flag to go ahead with the construction. The construction of Tower Bridge started on 22/4/1886 and inaugurated in 1894. Five major contractors and 432 construction workers relentlessly worked 8 years to complete this bridge on a cost of over £1 million.  Over 11,000 tons of steel used for its construction.

THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT MISS

  • THE GLASS FLOORS

In 2014 the Glass Floors were installed which does give a wonderful experience to visitors. You can get a good view of the road and the river through the glass. It is 33.5 metres above road level. There is no chance of shattering of this glass bridge, as it has got 6 layers of 70mm thick glasses and so strong that it could hold the weight of six elephants. The top layer of the Glass is regularly replaced to ensure visitors get the best views.

(Image credit--JvL-, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Common)

  • THE ENGINE ROOMS

The steam engines powered by coal used for the opening of mighty bascules (the arms of the bridge) to let pass the vessels through the Thames River for over 80 years. Around 20 tonnes of coal used per week to generate the huge amount of power to lift the bascules.  At that time, every day around 30 people worked inside the Engine Rooms to make it possible. In 1976 Tower Bridge switched to electrified hydraulics. However, the visitors will be able see the steam engines, coal-fired boilers, drivetrains, and accumulators in the engine room.

(Image credit-Lukeeeemm, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

  • BRIDGE LIFTS

London port was the busiest port in the world during the Victorian time. The bridge with lift arms (which is called the bascules) does not delay the traffic above the bridge and hold any vessels in the Thames River for long as it could open fully to their maximum angle of 86 degrees with in one minute. To be honest, that short period of hold can be frustrating during rush hour traffic. The arms were lifted 6194 time (average of 17 times per day) in 1894, the first year of its opening. As I mentioned before, initially it operated with steam engine them converted to oil and electricity. This bridge is still on working condition and open around 800 times a day. You can check the times of the lift opening online.

(Image credit-Tropical1979, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Common)

  • THE BLUE LINE

On your walk from the South Tower to engine room, you will be able see the blue line on the floor where you can see the names of the workers of Tower Bridge.

OPENING TIMES: Tower Bridge is open 09:30 – 18:00. Last entry is 17:00.

ENTRANCE: Book online Tickets 

ACCESSABILITY:

Step free access available

You can borrow Wheelchairs and walking frames 

Toilets and baby/ incontinent  changings are available

Two quiet rooms are available for nursing mums, for prayer and chilling out which are located in the South Tower.

NEAREST TUBE STATIONS: Tower Hill station

BY BOAT: Tower Pier and London Bridge City Pier are the closest stops.

BUS: Bus routs are 15, 42, 78,100, 343. 

(Image credit-:DAVID HOLT from London, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

TIPS

  • The Tower bridge is included in the Go City Pass London, which is the much cheaper option if you are planning to visit more attractions in London.

  • FAMILY ACTIVITIES: Family activities are drop in sessions and  aiming for age 6-10 which is free with entry ticket and are available throughout the day. You will receive a free Family Activities Pass for 6 months, so your child can get free entry on any Family Activities for the next six months. More details.

  • Paid Guided Tours are available. More details

  • All groups of 15 or more must pre-book their tickets

  • Highlights Tour of Tower Bridge- an audio guide powered by Smartify. You can either scan the QR code inside Tower Bridge/ Download the Smartify App, then listen to the Tour throughout the Towers, Walkways and Engine Rooms.  More details.

  • HMS Belfast, The shard, Tower of London, Borough Market are only walkable distance from the Tower bridge. Check out the link more details.

  • On the second Saturday every month, between 9:30 and 11:30, entry to Tower Bridge is reserved for Relaxed Opening attendees who needs quieter atmosphere. More details

  • INTERESTING FACTS

  1. Cats in the Bridge: Till 1980s to keep the rats and mice away, cats were accommodated here in the bridge. For looking after them, even a manager was employed here. ‘The Tower Bridge Cat’ the book series was written by the author Tee Dobinson by the inspiration of these cats.‘The Tower Bridge Cat’ is a highly popular book. It is a great adventure  in LONDON by ‘Bella’ the Tower Bridge Cat. This exciting storybook inspired by the true story of a London bus jumping over the Bridge in 1952. The Tower In 2019 Bridge Cat won the ‘Best Children’s Publication’ at the Ace Product Awards. Click the link if you want to buy it for your child. BOOK, KINDLE EDITION
  2. In 1912 a pilot Frank McClean successfully flew his short seaplane between the bascules. He did not stop his adventure there. He flew under other three bridges in London on his way to Westminster, and ended up in Thames River by an attempt to fly between the river and Tower bridge bascules.
  3. Initially the Bridge was painted on chocolate brown colour (rumoured to have been Queen Victoria’s favourite colour) which was changed red, white and blue to commemorate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977.
  4. HMS Belfast was one of the biggest vessels passed under the Tower Bridge. It was on 14 October 1971 to reach its final resting place. This a war museum, which is opened for the public to visit, is now resting near to the tower bridge in Thames River . It served in second world war and had a significant role in D Day (It is the beginning of a major offensive attack by the Allied forces against the Germans by the Normandy (France) landings on 6 June 1944).
  5. It is opened free of charge for the river traffic states by the Tower Bridge Act of 1885.
  6. London Bridge and Tower bridge are not the same. In Roman era, London Bridge was the only bridge in London which has been rebuilt so many times since then. The current concrete and steel bridge was rebuilt in 1973.
  7. Royal Connection- Queen Victoria signed the approval for the construction of Tower Bridge on 14 August 1885. Next year, the Prince of Wales-Edward VII (Queen Victoria’s son and future King) laid the foundation stone which is still located at the northern end of the Bridge.

  8. On 30 June 1894, the Prince of Wales accompanied by Princess Alexandra (his wife), the Duke of York (his son and the future King George V) returned to celebrate the opening of the bridge which was a remarkable event in London. In 2010 a reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, for the first time ever in history visited inside Tower Bridge. In 2012 during Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, she sailed along the Thames in the Royal Barge which passed beneath the Bridge. As a gesture of respect, the bascules fully raised as a ‘full salute’ for the monarch. See the Video.

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