About Tower Bridge London
History of Tower Bridge
The commencement of the London Tower Bridge started between the years 1886 and 1894. Initially, it was meant to ease road traffic and pedestrians while maintaining entrance to a central stretch of the River. Because it would operate as a barrier to the passage of various high ships, a fabled stiff bridge at quad level was out of the question. Several bridge designs were proposed and a cantilevered bridge was finalized. The tower's construction began in 1886 and took eight years to finish. The most notable viewpoint of the Tower Bridge London is most likely the twin bridge towers built on the moorings. With the creation of the Tower Bridge Exhibition in 1982, the aerial pathways between the towers were only subsequently revealed to the public. The museum takes visitors on a tour of Tower Bridge's history, including the Victorian engine rooms that first drove the bridge's elevation. In 1974, an electro-hydraulic operated system supplanted the principal operating mechanism for the most part.
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What to Explore at Tower Bridge London?
The North Tower is where you enter the Tower for the first time. The North Tower not only offers private dinners and gatherings in the lounge, but it also exhibits an exhibit of a cinematic representation of the Tower Bridge's epic history. The Victorian room in the North Tower provides a relaxing atmosphere for dining gatherings. While the Victorian coffered ceilings offer stunning views of the Bridge and the southern bank of the River Thames, the relaxed décor and lavishly covered walls compliment the bridge's famous and exquisite construction.
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One of the Tower Bridge's most notable features is its glass walkways. The Tower Bridge Glass Walkway offers a thrilling and unique experience, allowing visitors to walk 42 meters above the Thames River on a transparent floor. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the river below, the bustling traffic, and the iconic bridge's structure. The glass floor adds a sense of adventure and vertigo-inducing excitement, making it a must-visit for those seeking an adrenaline rush.
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The South Tower has an audiovisual representation of the Tower Bridge's outstanding architecture and engineering, particularly its bascule structure and see-saw bridge mechanism. You will discover more about the folks who have kept this bridge working smoothly since 1894 as you walk down the South Tower. While you're there, look for images and plaques, as well as some of the original tools and materials used to construct the tower. Take the stairwell down to the ground level and go down the "Walk of Fame."
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Following the Blue Line at Tower Bridge is a fascinating way to explore its history and engineering marvel. The Blue Line is a guided route that takes you through the inner workings of the bridge, revealing its secret chambers, engine rooms, and impressive machinery. Learn about the bridge's Victorian construction, the mechanisms that once raised the bascules, and the people behind its operation.
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Walking through the Victorian Engine Rooms of London Tower Bridge is the only amazing way to truly immerse oneself in the bridge's rich history. It's a permanent exhibit, a Victorian-era machinery marvel that lifted the bridge at least 20-30 times per day and required at least 80 personnel to maintain the motors and raise the bridge. Tower Bridge transitioned from steam to electrical power generation in 1976. The Engine Rooms, on the other hand, house the actual steam engines that previously powered the Tower Bridge. Apart from the engine rooms, visitors can also explore the souvenir shops close to the Tower Bridge where you can buy gifts, clothes, cards, and whatnot. Some of the famous gift shops are The Tower of London Shop, Metlo, Lambert Souvenirs, Vintage London, Covent garden, and Cool Britannica.
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Why Visit The Tower Bridge in London?
- The Tower Bridge in London is where you can enter into the Victorian Era by exploring the Engine Rooms and learn about one of the most famous bridges in the world.
- The bridge lets you savor onto some incredible panoramic views of the city of London and spot some iconic landmarks such as the Tower of London, St. Paul’s, The Shard, and Wembley.
- Interactive activities in the Tower Bridge Exhibition’s one-day Family Learning Program which includes themed events while discovering the history and functioning of the bridge.
- Walk through the glass walkways set at 42 meters up above the ground and be mesmerized by the panoramic views of the city life on the streets.
- Explore the vintage Victorian Engine rooms and learn about the operations of the bridge and machines that powered the Bridges before.
- Click tons of pictures and shoot videos at the bridge to cherish the memories for lifetime.
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Facts About Tower Bridge London
- The City of London Corporation received more than 50 design proposals for Tower Bridge, but only one was accepted.
- Not only did it take 8 years to decide on the bridge's designs, but it also took 8 years to build the bridge. The structure was designed between 1886 and 1894, and it required five big corporations and 432 workers to finish. The bridge's framework was built with 11,000 tons of steel.
- The bridge was inaugurated by the royal family on June 30, 1894, with the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII) and his wife, The Princess of Wales.
- When Tower Bridge first opened, there was concern that a few horses would be unable to pull their landau up the gradient to the Bridge. To avoid traffic congestion and keep London moving, Tower Bridge kept its own horses on the job, arriving at the feat when it was needed.
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Know Before You Visit the Tower Bridge London
Location- The Tower Bridge is located close to the Tower of London at a distance of 800 meters and it spans over the River Thames, connecting the East End Borough of Tower Hamlets to the Southeast Borough of South Walk.
Timings- Open daily from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm.
How to Reach-
- Via Train- The nearest train station is London Bridge Station, located at a distance of 2.7 km. The London Bridge Station is the closest station to the bridge, located in the central London Borough of South Walk. If you exit through the Tooley Street Exit, it’ll take just a 10-minute walk to reach the Bridge.
- Via Tube- The nearest tube station is Tower Hill, located at a distance of 800 meters. You can either take a district line or the circle line or get off at Tower Hill station. The bridge is just a 7-minute walk away from Tower Hill station.
- Via Bus- The nearest bus station is Tower Bridge City Hall/Stop L, located at a distance of just 78 meters. Bus lines 42, 78, 15, and 343 take you to the Tower Bridge directly.
Best Time to VisitThe best time to visit Tower Bridge in London is the spring and summer season which goes on from March to May, and during mid-June. The temperature stays around 20 degrees Celsius with longer daylight hours, pleasant weather, and a blend of little rain and sunshine, making your visit to the Tower Bridge more exciting.
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Tips To Visit Tower Bridge
FAQs
Do I have to book in advance for Tower Bridge Tickets?
Booking your Tower Bridge tickets in advance is a good idea as this will save you a lot of time that you will be spending if you were to get your tickets at the venue in person. Moreover, by booking your tickets online you can enjoy several enticing deals and discounts.
Do I need to book Tower Bridge Tickets online?
By booking your Tower Bridge tickets online you not only save a lot of time and avoid the hassles of long queues as you can book them from the comforts of your homes, but also enjoy several discounts and other benefits.
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How long is Tower Bridge London?
The total length of the Tower Bridge London is 244 meters or 800 ft.
How much time should one spend inside Tower Bridge London?
After booking Tower Bridge tickets, visitors can spend around 30-60 minutes exploring the bridge and exhibition of the Victorian Engine Rooms. It mostly takes an hour to fully explore the bridge, exhibitions, the Crown Jewels, and the Tower of London.
What makes Tower Bridge London so famous?
The Tower Bridge London is a famous attraction in London due to its Neo-Gothic architecture and lifting central sections. It takes you to the Victorian era via its engine room exhibitions and the primordial structural design.
Are pets allowed inside Tower Bridge London?
Yes, pets are allowed inside the Tower Bridge only if they are put on a leash. There might be a limit to the number of pets allowed if the bridge gets too crowded. Guard dogs, however, are always permitted to enter.
Why does the Tower Bridge London lift?
The Tower Bridge London lifts due to the river traffic. It lifts to allow the ships to pass through on the River Thames as the bridge is designed in that manner. The Tower Bridge is not meant to obstruct the river traffic in any way, thus it lifts every time a ship is passing through.
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