Tower Bridge

It is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London which crosses the River Thames. 

Repaintet in 1977

The bridge consists of two towers tied together at the upper level by means of two horizontal walkways, designed to withstand the horizontal forces exerted by the suspended sections of the bridge on the landward sides of the towers.

The bridge's present colour scheme dates from 1977, when it was painted red, white and blue for Queen Elizabeth II's silver jubilee. Originally it was painted a mid greenish-blue colour.

The Tower Bridge Exhibition

A visit to Tower Bridge Exhibition is the most exciting way to explore and experience the most famous Bridge in the world. Within the Bridge's iconic structure and magnificent Victorian Engine rooms there is plenty to see and do!

After watching a new animated video about why Tower Bridge was built, guests can walk into the high level Walkways, 42 metres above the River Thames.  This offers visitors the chance to admire stunning panoramic views of London, spying such popular landmarks as St Paul's Cathedral and the Monument to the west and St Katharine's Dock leading to Canary Wharf to the east.

The East Walkway houses the exhibition "Great Bridges of the World" - this photographic exhibition features over 20 Bridges, each of which represents a breathtaking feat of engineering.

In the south tower a short video shows the construction of the Bridge, before you proceed to the West Walkway where you can view brand new exhibition, "This is London". Here you can admire copies of over 60 iconic illustrations and excerpts from painter and illustrator, Miroslav Sasek's classic children's book, "This is London".

Continue on to the original lifting machinery in the Victorian Engine Rooms, complete with sounds and smells that transport you back in time to the Bridge's origins.

You will also experience a virtual Bridge lift, providing you with a unique view of the Bascules being raised. And currently on display is "Art at the Bridge", brand new exhibition in partnership with Southwark Arts Forum.

Interesting facts of The Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge has a fascinating history, which is explored in full in The Tower Bridge Exhibition.
Here are a few interesting facts you may not have known:

1910 - the high-level walkways, which were designed so that the public could still cross the bridge when it was raised, were closed down due to lack of use.

1912 - during an emergency, Frank McClean had to fly between the bascules and the high-level walkways in his Short biplane, to avoid an accident. 

1952 - a London bus driven by Albert Gunton had to leap from one bascule to the other when the bridge began to rise with the number 78 bus still on it.

1982 - Tower Bridge opened to the public for the first time since 1910, with a permanent exhibition inside called The Tower Bridge Experience.