Tower Bridge Review

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Tower Bridge

Fodor's Review:

Despite its medieval, fairy-tale appearance, this is a Victorian youngster. Constructed of steel, then clothed in Portland stone, the Horace Jones masterpiece was deliberately styled in the Gothic persuasion to complement the Tower next door, and it's famous for its enormous bascules—the 1,200-ton "arms," which open to allow large ships through. This still happens occasionally, but when river traffic was dense, the bascules were raised about five times a day.

The Tower Bridge Exhibition is a child-friendly tour where you can discover how one of the world's most famous bridges actually works and then head out onto the walkways for the wonderful city views. First, take in the romance of the panoramas from the east and west walkways between those grand turrets. On the east are the modern superstructures and ships of Docklands, and on the west is the best look at the steel-and-glass "futuristic mushroom" that is Greater London Assembly's City Hall, the Tower of London, St. Paul's, and the Monument. Then it's back down to explore the Victorian engine rooms and discover the inner workings, which you learn about through hands-on displays and films.

  • Cost: £6
  • Open: Daily Apr.-Sept., 10-6:30; Oct.-Mar. 9:30-5:30; last admission 30 min before closing time
  • Tube: Tower Hill
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