Tower Bridge crosses the Thames beside the Tower of London and is one of London’s most recognisable landmarks. You can walk across the road-level bridge for free, or buy entry to the Tower Bridge Exhibition for the high-level walkways, glass floor and Victorian Engine Rooms. From above, look along the river and across the city; through the glass, you can see the roadway below. If a vessel is due to pass, you may also see the bridge’s central sections rise.
A bridge built for river traffic
Tower Bridge was built to create a new crossing east of London Bridge without blocking ships from reaching the Pool of London. The city held a design competition, and architect Horace Jones worked with engineer John Wolfe Barry on the chosen plan. Construction ran from 1886 to 1894, when the bridge opened.
Its towers and upper walkways give Tower Bridge its distinctive profile, while the lifting sections allow larger vessels to pass along the Thames. The bridge was designed as both a suspension bridge and a bascule bridge, the latter referring to the counterweighted sections that rise to clear the water. It remains a working crossing for vehicles and pedestrians.
Inside the Tower Bridge Exhibition
The exhibition takes visitors up into the towers and along the high-level walkways. Displays, films and interactive material explain the bridge’s construction and operation. The glass floor gives a view down to the road and river below, with London’s skyline and the Thames visible from the walkway.
The historic Engine Rooms offer a closer look at the machinery associated with raising the bridge. Original engines, boilers and accumulators remain in their settings, alongside working models that demonstrate engineering principles. The displays also tell the stories of people who worked on the bridge and helped keep it operating.
Seeing the bridge from outside
You can cross Tower Bridge at street level without entering the exhibition. From the riverside, the towers frame views across the water, with the Tower of London nearby and the Shard visible from parts of the route. The bridge is also a useful stop on a Thames-side walk, and the surrounding paths offer places to pause for photographs.
At night, the bridge is illuminated against the city skyline. If you are hoping to see it open, check the bridge-lift times before your visit. Lifts take place when boats need to pass, so the schedule is a more reliable guide than simply waiting on the riverbank.
Häufige Fragen
Can you cross Tower Bridge for free?
Yes. The ordinary pedestrian crossing is free. You need a ticket to enter the exhibition and use the high-level walkways.
What can you see inside Tower Bridge?
The exhibition includes the high-level walkways, glass floor, displays about the bridge and its operation, and the historic Engine Rooms.
How long does a visit to Tower Bridge take?
A visit takes about 45 minutes.
Can you see Tower Bridge open?
It opens to allow boats to pass along the Thames. Check the bridge-lift schedule online to see whether a lift coincides with your visit.
