Tower Bridge

With its Gothic towers and central bascule flanked by dramatic suspension bridges, Tower Bridge is both a remarkable feat of engineering and one of London’s most instantly recognizable landmarks. The famous bridge is a popular subject of London postcards, leading many to mistake it for London Bridge, which is actually the next one upstream.

Things to know before you go to Tower Bridge

• Tower Bridge is a must for architecture and engineering aficionados, and all first-time visitors to London
• While you can walk, cycle, or drive across the bridge, the most spectacular views are from the top walkways—part of the Tower Bridge Exhibition.
• River traffic takes priority over road traffic, and vehicles and pedestrians have to wait when a boat wants to come through.
• The bridge is accessible to wheelchair users and strollers.

How to get to Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is the easternmost of central London’s main bridges. Entrance to the Tower Bridge Exhibition is from the Tower of London (north) side of the river. The closest Tube stations are Tower Hill (District and Circle lines) on the north side and London Bridge (Northern and Jubilee lines) on the south side. Riverboats stop at Tower Pier on the north bank and London Bridge City Pier on the south bank.

When to visit Tower Bridge

It’s almost impossible to avoid crowds along Tower Bridge, especially in peak season (July and August), but opting for an early morning or late evening stroll across the bridge offers the best chance. If you’re hoping to capture a dramatic photograph of the bridge, arrive in time for sunrise, when the lighting is perfect and the crowds are thin. If possible, time your arrival to coincide with the opening of the bascule bridge; times are listed on the Tower Bridge website.