With its twin towers, blue suspension cables, and drawbridge over the Thames, Tower Bridge is one of the most recognizable structures on the planet. It is also, hands down, the bridge that visitors most often name wrong — so let’s set the record straight and show you how to enjoy this Victorian marvel.
Not London Bridge!
First things first: this is Tower Bridge, not London Bridge. London Bridge is the plainer crossing a little further upriver, and the old rhyme about it “falling down” has nothing to do with these famous towers. The confusion is so common that it has its own legend — supposedly someone once bought the old London Bridge thinking they were getting this one. The bridge you see in every postcard, with the Gothic towers, is Tower Bridge, opened in 1894.
A Bridge That Still Lifts
Tower Bridge is a working bascule bridge, which means its central roadway still splits and rises to let tall ships pass beneath — a genuinely thrilling sight. The lifts happen around a thousand times a year, and the schedule is published online in advance, so it is well worth timing your visit to watch the road swing open and a vessel glide through. It only takes a few minutes, but it is pure London theatre.
The Glass Floor and Engine Rooms
For a small fee you can go inside the bridge exhibition and climb to the high-level walkways between the towers. The highlight is the glass floor — stand on it and look straight down at the traffic and river far below, a dizzying, brilliant experience. The ticket also includes the beautifully preserved Victorian engine rooms, where the original steam machinery that once powered the lifts is on display. It is one of the city’s best-value attractions.
The Best Views
You don’t have to pay a penny to enjoy Tower Bridge, though. Walking across the upper road deck is completely free and offers lovely views up and down the river. For the classic photograph, head to the riverside paths on either bank, or down to the small beaches that appear at low tide. At night the bridge is beautifully lit, making for spectacular evening shots.
Visiting Tips
The nearest stations are Tower Hill and London Bridge, both a short walk away. Tower Bridge sits right next to the Tower of London, so the two make a perfect pair for one outing — do the Tower first, then cross the bridge and walk along the South Bank toward Borough Market. Check the lift times before you go, wear comfortable shoes, and don’t rush: this is a spot to linger, take photos, and watch the river life drift by.
More London guides: explore the full London Travel Guides series.
