Tower Bridge
As one of London ’s most instantly recognisable landmarks, Tower Bridge is an amazing feat of Victorian engineering, architecture and a reminder of London’s seafaring heritage.
Opened in 1894, Tower Bridge was designed by Sir Horace Jones to be both a strong emblem of the progressive technologies of the Victorian era and an elegant complement to the Tower of London with its flamboyant gothic towers masking the steam powered mechanisms lifting the bridge. Each side of the bridge or bascules weigh over 1000 tons and take just 60 seconds to be raised. In its first year of service the bascules of Tower Bridge were raised 6,160 times, today they are raised around 500 times a year.
The bridge now houses the Tower Bridge Experience, an interactive exhibition which includes films explaining the building of the bridge and footage of its grand opening ceremony, when on 30th June 1894 the Prince of Wales led a procession across the bridge. An excellent collection of stills in the walkway above the bridge piece together the bridge’s construction and documents its history while the old Engine Room shows the impressive steam powered machinery that lifted the bridge until 1976 when it was electrified.
During World War II, the Germans saw the strategic importance of the bridge as a landmark and never bombed it. Now it’s open for people to see as a famous icon of London and impressive visitor attraction.
Tube Station: Tower Hill
