It is the bridge on every London postcard, and almost everyone calls it by the wrong name. This is Tower Bridge — the one with the two pointed towers and the powder-blue suspension chains — not the far plainer London Bridge a little further upstream. Spanning the Thames beside the Tower of London, it is one of the most recognisable structures on earth, and a wonderful sight whether you simply walk across it or pay to explore inside.
A Victorian Engineering Marvel
Opened in 1894, Tower Bridge was a bold feat of Victorian engineering, designed to let traffic cross the river without blocking the tall ships that needed to reach the busy docks upstream. The solution was ingenious: a “bascule” bridge whose central roadway splits and lifts in two great arms to let vessels pass. The Gothic-style towers were clad in stone to complement the nearby Tower of London, hiding a sturdy steel skeleton within.
Watching the Bridge Lift
The bascules still rise today, around 800 times a year, and watching them lift for a passing ship is a real treat. The lift times are published in advance on the bridge’s official website, so you can plan to be on the riverbank when it happens. It is free to watch, takes only a few minutes, and never fails to draw a delighted crowd.
Inside the Tower Bridge Exhibition
For a small fee you can go inside and climb the towers to the high-level walkways, suspended above the road. The highlight is the glass floor, where you can stand and look straight down at the traffic and the river flowing far below — thrilling and slightly dizzying in equal measure. The visit also includes the beautifully preserved Victorian engine rooms that once powered the lifting mechanism, a treat for anyone curious about how it all works.
Best Photo Spots
For the classic shot, head to the riverside walkways on either bank, or down to the small beach area by the Tower of London at low tide. Crossing the bridge on foot gives you fine views up and down the Thames, while the area around Shad Thames and Butler’s Wharf on the south side offers postcard angles framed by old warehouse buildings. The bridge is especially photogenic at dusk, when it lights up against the darkening sky.
Visiting Tips
Tower Bridge pairs perfectly with the Tower of London right beside it, making for an easy half-day along this stretch of river. Crossing the bridge and admiring it from the banks costs nothing; only the interior exhibition charges admission. The nearest stations are Tower Hill and London Bridge, both a short walk away. However you choose to see it, take a moment to appreciate that this global icon is still a fully working bridge, doing the same job it was built for well over a century ago.
More London guides: browse the full London Travel Guides series for landmarks, museums, food, and nightlife.
