Best for
First-time visitors, photographers, families
Time needed
45–75 minutes for the exhibition; a few minutes to simply cross
Worth it?
Yes for the glass floor and engine rooms — the free crossing alone is unmissable regardless
Skip if
You're happy with the (free) view from the pavement and don't need the interior exhibition
About Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge opened in 1894 after eight years of construction, built to relieve congestion on London Bridge while still allowing tall-masted ships to reach the busy Pool of London docks upstream. The solution — a bascule (drawbridge) design wrapped in matching Victorian Gothic towers to visually complement the neighbouring Tower of London — remains one of the most recognisable pieces of engineering in the world, and is still regularly confused with "London Bridge" itself (the plain modern bridge just upstream).
Crossing the bridge at road or pavement level costs nothing and is one of London's essential free experiences. The paid exhibition takes visitors up into the high-level walkways connecting the two towers, 42 metres above the river, where glass floor panels let you look straight down at traffic and the Thames below — added in 2014 and now the exhibition's signature feature.
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The ticket also includes the original Victorian engine rooms on the south bank, where the coal-fired steam engines that powered the bascules until 1976 (electrified since) are preserved and still explained through working models and displays.
The bascules still lift for tall ships several times a month, on a published schedule available on the official website — worth checking if watching the road deck rise apart is on your list.
What to See: Highlights
- 1The glass-floor high-level walkways, 42 metres above the Thames
- 2Free pavement crossing with views of the Tower of London and the Shard
- 3Preserved Victorian steam engine rooms
- 4Occasional bascule lifts for tall ships (published schedule online)
- 5Views over the City, Tower Bridge Quarter and the river from the walkways
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Insider Tips
Crossing the bridge itself is free — only the high-level walkway exhibition is ticketed
Check the official bridge-lift schedule online if you want to see the bascules rise
Combine with the Tower of London — they're a 5-minute walk apart
The glass floor can feel intimidating for some visitors — the sturdy walkway either side is a comfortable alternative
Book combined Tower Bridge + Monument tickets for a small discount if visiting both
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Getting There
Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2UP
Open in Google Maps →- 1Tower Hill (Circle, District lines) or London Bridge (Jubilee, Northern) — both roughly a 10-minute walk.
Where to stay
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
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Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You want the glass-floor view straight down at the Thames
- You're interested in Victorian engineering and the original steam engines
- You're combining a visit with the Tower of London next door
- You want to time your visit around a scheduled bascule lift
Skip if...
- You're satisfied with photographing the bridge from outside — that part is free
- You have a fear of heights or glass floors and would rather skip that section
- You've limited time and the Tower of London itself is a higher priority
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in London
Tower of London
A nearly 1,000-year-old fortress on the Thames holding the Crown Jewels, the White Tower's medieval armouries, and a history of executions, imprisonments and royal intrigue.
The View from The Shard
Western Europe's tallest building, with viewing galleries on floors 68–72 offering the highest publicly accessible viewpoint in London — over twice the height of the London Eye.
Thames River Cruise (Uber Boat by Thames Clippers)
A fast, frequent catamaran river-bus service that doubles as a scenic sightseeing cruise, linking Westminster, the London Eye, Tower Bridge and Greenwich along the Thames.