Tower Bridge

London's most beautiful bridge — the Victorian Gothic one everyone mistakes for London Bridge. Walking across is free and glorious; the exhibition (about £12) adds glass-floored walkways 42 metres up and the original steam engine rooms. Good value by London standards, and watching a bridge lift from the banks costs nothing.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Is the Tower Bridge glass floor scary?

A little, in a fun way — you're looking 42 metres straight down at traffic and the Thames. The walkways are fully enclosed and solid, so it's a thrill rather than an ordeal, and kids usually love lying on it.

Where's the best photo of Tower Bridge?

From the south bank by City Hall (the Queen's Walk) for the classic full-span shot, or from a Thames pier as boats pass beneath. Butler's Wharf, just downstream, gives you the bridge framed by old warehouses with far fewer people.

When does Tower Bridge open for ships?

The bascules lift several hundred times a year and every lift is scheduled in advance on the Tower Bridge website's 'bridge lift times' page. Seeing the road split and rise is free from either bank — genuinely worth timing your visit around.

What are Tower Bridge's opening hours?

The exhibition is open daily 9:30am to 6pm, last entry 5pm. The bridge itself, being a public road, never closes to pedestrians except during lifts and rare events.

What's in the Tower Bridge engine rooms?

The original coal-fired steam engines that powered the bridge lifts until 1976, kept in beautiful condition on the south bank end — included in your exhibition ticket. Engineering nerds should not skip them.

Is Tower Bridge the same as London Bridge?

No — London Bridge is the plain one just upstream, and it's the source of a thousand disappointed tourists. The fairytale towers you're picturing are Tower Bridge, named for the Tower of London next door.

How much does Tower Bridge cost to visit?

Walking across is free. The exhibition — glass walkways, both towers and the Victorian engine rooms — is about £12 for adults and £6 for kids 5-15, with a summer discount running 25 June to 1 September 2026. Book on towerbridge.org.uk.

Can I combine Tower Bridge with the Tower of London?

Easily — they're two minutes apart, so do the Tower in the morning and the bridge exhibition mid-afternoon. St Katharine Docks, just east, is a lovely low-key marina for lunch between the two.

Nearby in Ask London

• Tower BridgeAttraction0.01 km · 0 min walk
• Tower of LondonAttraction0.29 km · 4 min walk
• Maltby Street MarketMarket0.67 km · 8 min walk
• St Dunstan in the East Church GardenAttraction0.68 km · 8 min walk
• Sky GardenRestaurant0.85 km · 11 min walk