Standing right by the buzzing heart of London, Tower Bridge grabs your attention like nothing else. It has watched over the city since 1894, carrying more than just traffic across the River Thames. For locals running late for meetings, tourists snapping photos on sky-high glass walkways, or early-morning joggers dodging rush-hour crowds, this bridge is part of the city’s DNA. But how much do you really know about it? Peel back the layers and suddenly, what you’ve got is more than a pretty backdrop—it’s a slice of London’s wild, ambitious spirit in stone and steel.
The late 19th century wasn’t exactly a quiet time for London. By the 1870s, the bustling riverside east of the Tower of London had turned into a chaotic tangle of boats, barrows, and workers, with the docks pouring goods into the city. The sewer-strewn Thames was London’s commercial superhighway—and also a giant barrier. Crossing options east of London Bridge were, frankly, grim. So, when the powers that be held a design competition in 1876, they were desperate for a showstopper that wouldn’t block the river but still allowed for massive tall-masted ships.
Out of over 50 entries, it was the engineer Sir John Wolfe Barry and architect Sir Horace Jones who nailed it: a bridge with two iconic towers, a central section that could split and rise to let ships through, and the hybrid style Londoners know and love. The first stone was laid in 1886, and eight years later, London had its showpiece. With over 11,000 tons of steel and bricks shipped in from the likes of Kent and Yorkshire, this was London’s largest and most complex bridge project yet.
Every inch of Tower Bridge is pure industrial showmanship. The whole bascule system (that’s the posh name for those great lifting roadways) was powered originally by enormous steam engines, which could lever open the massive 1,000-ton bascules in five minutes flat. Today, it runs with the whir of electricity and oil hydraulics—much sleeker, but still offering that unmistakable show when the traffic stops and the arms start to lift. And get this: the bridge is raised about 850 times a year. You can actually check the published lifting timetable online, so timing your riverside walk or an afternoon pint at The Vault for a dramatic bridge lift is totally doable.
But Tower Bridge’s style didn’t win everyone over at the start. Some Victorians moaned the faux-medieval look was ‘pretend fortress’ stuff, more pantomime than city planning. Now? That mashup of Gothic Revival and Edwardian engineering is a London calling card—so much so that there’s even a Tower Bridge in the US and one in China (neither quite as cool, obviously).
Everyone knows Tower Bridge is the spot for selfies with the Shard glinting in the background—but ask a Londoner, and you’ll get chatter about wild stories that have unfolded here. Like in 1952, when a bus driver named Albert Gunton was crossing with a packed-out double-decker and saw the bascules rising too soon. No time to brake. So, he slammed the accelerator, jumped a rising gap, and landed safely on the northern span—with everyone onboard safe but very, very awake. The bridge’s engineers still tell this story with a mix of horror and pride.
During World War II, Tower Bridge was camouflaged to hide it from enemy bombers, but even then, it kept London’s heart pumping. There are even tales of secret rooftop lookout posts and, later, daredevil pilots zipping through the spans (with more guts than good sense). The bridge has popped up in dozens of movies, from the Harry Potter series to Guy Ritchie’s ‘Sherlock Holmes’. Each time, it’s more than just a scene—it sets the mood for London’s mix of grit and grandeur.
If you’re after more than a quick stroll or classic Instagram snap, the Tower Bridge Exhibition is an absolute must. Head up to those high-level walkways for sky-high views—those glass floors are not for the faint of heart, but adrenaline junkies love them. If you’re worried about crowds, aim for early weekday mornings. School groups pile in by ten, and by lunch, it’s elbow-to-elbow up there. The mechanical rooms below, once full of steam and steel, now offer a look at the original engines, lovingly restored. For geeky types, you’ll find century-old pressure gauges and diagrams that would make a steampunk nut swoon. There are even regular family events, including interactive workshops and talks with local historians.
Don’t overlook local traditions, either. On special occasions like the Lord Mayor’s Show or Remembrance Sunday, the bridge is a focal point, its walkways decked out or lit up in respect or celebration. And if you’re up for a quirky challenge, every spring there’s the iconic Vitality London 10,000 race, where runners thunder past Tower Bridge before swinging west through the historic heart of the city.
Tower Bridge is one thing, but the area around it? That’s proper London. Just south of the bridge, you hit Shad Thames, a network of old warehouses now packed with trendy flats, indie shops, and riverside dining. The Ivy Tower Bridge is great for a posh brunch, but for something classic, Butler’s Wharf Chop House nails British comfort food (proper mashed potatoes, juicy pies, plenty of vegan options too). If you’re more about local drink than local food, you can’t beat The Bridge House Pub, which serves up pints and views in equal measure.
Cultural buffs have plenty to soak up nearby. The Design Museum sits within walking distance, bringing a modern edge to centuries-old surroundings. For street art lovers, a short stroll east down Bermondsey Street throws you into a creative hub packed with murals and tiny galleries. Late summer? Look out for the Bermondsey Street Festival—think street food, local breweries, and pop-up Shakespeare performances. It’s a snapshot of the best of London: loud, friendly, and full of hidden surprises.
If you live or work in London, Tower Bridge is more than a place to cross. Locals use it as a running track in the early morning fog, a landmark for arranging meetups (“down by the bridge, north side”), or a quick reminder of the city’s unbreakable link between past and present. And for London’s expats or frequent visitors, leave the umbrella at home on a sunny May day and wander the riverside paths—head east towards St. Katharine Docks for a pint, or west towards Borough Market for a hit of spice and street theatre.
Tower Bridge’s famous lifts can sometimes cause snarls in bus and bike traffic—handy tip, check @TfLTravelAlerts on X (formerly Twitter) for real-time updates, especially if you’re commuting. Cyclists have their own cycle-friendly path on the bridge, though beware of the summer tourist crush (bike bells come in handy).
| Year Opened | Average Daily Crossings | Number of Lifts per Year | Height of Towers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1894 | Over 40,000 vehicles and pedestrians | Roughly 850 | 65 metres |
If you’re taking kids, note the nearby Potters Fields Park has playgrounds and summer open-air film festivals. On weekends, look out for street food trucks along the Queen’s Walk—vegan wraps, Yorkshire pudding burritos, Sri Lankan hoppers—you’ll find whatever weird and tasty combination Birmingham’s chattiest foodies have brought down for the weekend market. And there’s always somewhere new to try, from vintage ice cream vans to craft beer pop-ups.
First off, don’t make the classic error of calling it London Bridge—locals (and cabbies) will spot the mistake a mile off. The real London Bridge, a quick stroll upriver, is a lot plainer. Tower Bridge is the one everyone’s after. Advance ticket booking is your friend, especially for the Tower Bridge Exhibition. London Pass holders get in for free, but check for off-peak slots as weekends sell out fast. If you’re an early riser, sunrise over the Thames is unbeatable from the upper walkways—not to mention blissfully free of both queues and influencer tripods.
Wheelchair users and parents with prams will be happy to know accessibility is excellent, with step-free access to most areas. Dog walkers can stroll across, though only assistance dogs are allowed inside the exhibition. If you prefer something quieter, winter afternoons (minus school holidays) feel almost private—perfect for thinking or simply soaking up the river breeze.
Keen on photography? Sunsets often drape Tower Bridge in gold. The best spots are the southern banks or from St. Katharine’s Pier, especially after a rain shower when the city lights bounce off puddles. Local photographers suggest a visit during the Thames Festival in September, when the area explodes with street art, lit-up sculptures, and even floating sculptures along the water.
Remember that seasonal events, from river regattas to open-air concerts, regularly take over the grounds—bookmark the Tower Bridge website and keep an eye out for the latest. If you’re heading to a gig at the Troxy or exploring the Design District, use the bridge walkways to skip tube hassles and enjoy panoramic views for free.
And finally, for those obsessed with London trivia: the bridge gets a full repaint every 25 years—an epic task using more than 22,000 litres of paint. The colours? They’ve been blue, white, and red since 1977 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee. Next time you cross, glance up at the painted coat of arms and think, you’re walking over 120 years of history, engineering, and classic London grit.
