Tower Bridge is London’s iconic Victorian Gothic bascule and suspension bridge, spanning the Thames since it opened in 1894 after eight years of construction using 11,000 tons of steel. Its twin towers and raisable roadway were designed to preserve river traffic to the busy Pool of London while still connecting both banks of the city.
Inside, the Tower Bridge Exhibition combines the high-level walkways, glass floor panels installed in 2014 offering views of the river and road far below, and the original Victorian engine rooms that once powered the bridge’s steam-driven lifting mechanism.
A self-guided visit through the towers, glass floor, and engine rooms typically takes about 90 minutes to two hours, and arriving soon after the 9:30am opening offers the quietest experience and best light for river photography.