Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is London's best-known bridge, a Victorian combined bascule and suspension bridge completed in 1894 beside the Tower of London. Its two Gothic-style towers are linked by high-level walkways, and its central roadway still lifts to let tall ships pass along the Thames. A ticketed visit takes you inside the structure, telling the story of how and why it was built and how it has been worked and maintained since.

The visit begins in the North Tower and climbs to the high-level walkways that span the river, 42 metres above the Thames. Sections of each walkway have glass floors, so you can look straight down at the traffic, pedestrians and boats below, which is especially memorable if you time your visit for a bridge lift. From the walkways there are wide views up and down the river. The route then continues across to the South Tower and down to the Victorian Engine Rooms, where the original steam engines that once powered the lifts are on display. A blue line on the pavement guides you between the towers and the engine rooms.

The bridge suits families, couples and anyone who likes engineering or views. Audio tours, the Tower Bridge Cat Trail for children and family activities are included with entry. Guided tours lasting about 90 minutes can be booked separately, including tours with British Sign Language interpretation and Deaf-led tours, and there is a relaxed opening for neurodivergent visitors. Groups of 15 or more can book group visits with discounts.

The exhibition is open daily from 09:30 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:00. Tickets can be booked up to six weeks in advance, and a range of concessions are available. Allow around an hour to 90 minutes. Bridge lifts happen several times a week; the official website publishes the schedule, so check it if you would like to see one, either from the walkways or from the riverbank.

Tower Hill Underground station is a short walk from the north side, and London Bridge station is around 15 minutes' walk from the south side. The Tower of London is next door, St Katharine Docks is just to the east, and the south bank leads to Shad Thames, with its converted warehouses, and west to Hay's Galleria and Borough Market.