The Victorian bascule bridge near the Tower of London whose twin towers and blue suspension chains have made it one of the city's most photographed landmarks, often mistaken for London Bridge itself. The bridge still lifts for river traffic on a published schedule, and the high-level walkways connecting the two towers now house an exhibition with a glass floor over the road. The Victorian Engine Rooms below show the original steam machinery that once powered the lifts.
Tower Bridge spans the Thames beside the Tower of London, its twin Gothic towers and blue suspension chains, completed in 1894, framing one of the most photographed river crossings in Britain. The bridge's bascules still open for tall river traffic several times a month, following a published schedule, and the exhibition inside the towers tells the story of its Victorian engineering, including the original steam-powered hydraulic machinery preserved in the Engine Rooms on the south bank. The main draw for most visitors is the glass-floored walkway suspended 42 metres above the river between the two towers, which offers a view straight down onto the traffic and pedestrians crossing below, alongside panels tracing the bridge's construction and its role during the Blitz. From the walkway's windows, the view extends west toward the City skyline and east toward Canary Wharf. Crossing the bridge itself, at road and pavement level, is free and open at all times, making it possible to see the towers and chains up close, and to photograph the bridge from the south bank or from Shad Thames, without paying for the exhibition. A visit to the paid exhibition, including both towers and the Engine Rooms, takes about 60 to 90 minutes. The bridge is busiest at midday and in the early afternoon, when tour groups combine it with a Tower of London visit; the exhibition is quieter in the last hour before closing.
| Admission | Bridge walkways and Victorian Engine Rooms: adults £14.80 / approx USD 19; children (5–15) £6.80 / approx USD 9. Exterior crossing is free. Book at towerbridge.org.uk. |
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| Hours | Exhibition: Daily 09:30–18:00 (last entry 17:30); Apr–Sep until 20:00 (last entry 19:00) |
| Typical visit | 1–1.5 hours (exhibition); exterior viewing anytime |
| Best time | Sunrise or golden hour for photography from the South Bank or Butler's Wharf; bascule bridge lifts listed at towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times |
| Getting there | Tube: Tower Hill (Circle/District); 5-minute walk. Or DLR: Tower Gateway. |
| Address | Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2UP |
Location
Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2UP
51.5055, -0.0754 View on map
Highlights
- Glass-floored high-level walkway 42 metres above the Thames
- Victorian hydraulic Engine Rooms with original steam-powered machinery
- Views of the City skyline and Canary Wharf from the walkway windows
- Scheduled bascule bridge lifts for tall river traffic
- Free pedestrian crossing at street level, open around the clock
Tips for visiting
- Book combined Tower Bridge and Tower of London tickets online for a discount over separate admission
- Check towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times in advance to catch a bascule lift, a free spectacle from the riverbank
- The glass floor is cleaned regularly but can show scuff marks by late afternoon after heavy foot traffic
- Crossing the bridge at pavement level costs nothing and is the best free vantage point for photographs of the towers
- The exhibition's last entry is 30 minutes before the stated closing time
When to visit
Late afternoon, in the hour before the exhibition closes, tends to be quieter than the midday period when Tower of London tour groups arrive.
Accessibility
Lifts serve both towers and the high-level walkway, making the exhibition wheelchair accessible; the Engine Rooms on the south bank are reached via a short step-free route from the main entrance.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Tower Bridge take?
The paid exhibition, covering both towers, the glass walkway, and the Engine Rooms, takes about 60 to 90 minutes.
Is Tower Bridge worth it for kids?
The glass floor and the Victorian machinery in the Engine Rooms tend to appeal to children, and the free exterior crossing is worthwhile even without the paid exhibition.
Is photography allowed on Tower Bridge?
Photography is allowed throughout the exhibition, including on the glass-floored walkway, and on the free pedestrian crossing at street level.