Tower Bridge

The structure over the Thames consists of two 65-meter-high towers with Cornish domes connected by upper pedestrian galleries and features a dual bascule mechanism for vessel passage. Side spans use suspension bridge construction while the central segments lift hydraulically. Four piers anchor the steel framework into the riverbed, and granite cladding wraps the iron frames with decorative elements of Gothic Revival architecture.

Work began in 1886 under architect Horace Jones and engineer John Wolfe Barry, requiring 432 workers over eight years until opening in 1894 by the Prince of Wales. George D. Stevenson took over leadership after Jones died in 1887. Originally, steam engines used pressurized water for lifting operations, but electric motors replaced these in 1976. Restoration work during the 1980s replaced the original steel cables of the suspension elements.

Victorian hydraulic engineering capabilities paired Gothic Revival aesthetics with industrial functionality to accommodate Thames shipping while enabling land transport across the river, marking British achievements in infrastructure planning and municipal management. The structure linked dockland neighborhoods on both banks and supported the development of the eastern capital during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, now connecting Tower Hamlets and Southwark to central districts.

Daily crossing accommodates 40,000 users via roadways and requires 24-hour advance scheduling for vessel openings. The exhibition center in the upper walkways displays Victorian machinery and operates from 10 AM to 6 PM April through September, closing earlier at 5:30 PM other months. Lifts provide access to elevated levels for mobility-limited visitors. Nearest underground stations are Tower Hill and London Bridge.

Glass floor panels installed in 2014 within the upper galleries permit direct views of the Thames and traffic 42 meters (138 feet) below. The original hydraulic accumulators in the basement generated pressure of 750 pounds per square inch (52 bar) and stored enough energy to raise the bridge leaves twelve times without recharging the steam boilers. Each bridge leaf weighs over 1,000 tons yet can open in 90 seconds from its vertical opening angle of 86 degrees.

Location: London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Location: London Borough of Southwark

Inception: 1886

Architects: Horace Jones

Official opening: June 30, 1894

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Height: 65 m

Length: 244 m

Longest Span: 61 m

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Made from material: steel, granite, concrete

Website: https://towerbridge.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 51.50552,-0.07537

Latest update: November 28, 2025 14:28