Tower Bridge

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The bridge was designed by Sir Horace Jones and engineer John Wolfe Barry to ease road traffic while maintaining access to the busy Pool of London docks.

2. 2

   During the Second World War, the bridge's counterweights were increased to improve the speed of the bascule operation in case of damage.

3. 3

   The high-level walkways were closed to the public from 1910 until 1982 because they became havens for pickpockets and prostitutes.

4. 4

   The bridge is painted its iconic white and blue colors to commemorate the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977; it was previously painted a chocolate brown.

5. 5

   A bus once famously jumped the gap while the bridge was opening in 1952 when the driver accelerated to clear the rising span.

6. 6

   The bridge's hydraulic system was originally powered by coal-fired steam engines that produced enough pressure to move the massive counterweights in under two minutes.

7. 7

   The glass floors in the high-level walkways are 65mm thick and can support the weight of an elephant.

8. 8

   Tower Bridge is often confused with London Bridge, which is located approximately 0.8 kilometers upstream.

Overview

Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge spanning the River Thames, constructed between 1886 and 1894. The structure features two Victorian Gothic towers connected by high-level walkways, which originally served as pedestrian crossings. The bridge employs a hydraulic system, now powered by electricity, to lift the 1,100-ton bascules for river traffic. The high-level walkways feature glass floors, offering a view of the roadway and river traffic 42 meters below. Visitors can access the Victorian engine rooms to view the original steam-powered machinery used to operate the bascules. The bridge is a functioning piece of maritime infrastructure and a protected Grade I listed building. It stands as a distinctive example of 19th-century civil engineering and ornamental ironwork.

Insider tips

• Check the official bridge lift schedule online before your visit to ensure you see the bascules in action from the pedestrian walkway.

• Visit the engine rooms after exploring the high-level walkways to understand the historical steam technology.

• Combine your visit with a walk along the Thames Path for varied angles of the Victorian towers.