Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is one of the symbols of London. A visit to the site has become an integral part of the tourist program for British and foreign travelers.

Characteristics of the Tower Bridge

The length of the bridge is 244 m. The height of its towers is 65 m. It was named after the former Tower prison located next to it. The bridge is considered an important transport artery of the British capital. More than 40,000 people cross it every day.

Who was the creator of

Construction of the structure was entrusted to the architect Horace Jones, who died in 1887. The divorce mechanism was created by engineer Hamilton Owen Rendel.

Construction history

The need to build the crossing arose due to the economic growth of England, the increase in population and the number of vehicles. Construction began in June 1886 and lasted eight years. Several hundred people were involved in the construction. The basis of the bridge is a metal frame. To protect against corrosion, the structure was lined with stone.

The opening of the new landmark took place on June 30, 1894. The ceremony was attended by Edward, Prince of Wales, and his wife, Princess Alexandra.

The architecture of Tower Bridge

The Commandant of the Tower opposed the erection of the crossing in the Gothic style. The official believed that a more modern structure next to London’s oldest fortress would disturb the architectural harmony. As a result, the building committee decided to build the bridge in the same style as the Tower.

Constituents

The main components of the design include:

• 2 towers;
• supports;
• pedestrian galleries;
• fastening chains;
• bridges (drawbridges and suspension bridges).

Each of the two towers contains a spiral staircase and two elevators for accessing or descending the upper pedestrian galleries.

Principle of operation

To allow a ship to pass, the wings of the bridge are simultaneously raised at an angle of 83º. The mechanism parts of the hydraulic system are driven by water, which was originally pressurized by 2 steam engines. The equipment ran on coal. In the mid-1970s, the obsolete elements were replaced by an electric drive.

Location

The symbol of the British capital is located in central London, at the intersection of Fish Street Hill and Monument Street.

Ways to get to the bridge

The bridge can be reached by several types of public transport:

1. Metro. Take the District and Circle lines and get off at Tower Hill station.
2. Bus. Take lines 100, 42, 343, and 78 to Tower Hill Tower Gateway Station or St. John’s Station. Katharine Pier.
3. River Tram. It is necessary to disembark near Tower Pier or St. John the Baptist. Katharine Pier, located near the bridge.

Visiting hours for tourists

The attraction is available to the public around the clock. The observation deck is open from 09.30 to 17.00 all week. There is a holiday schedule available at towerbridge.org.uk.

The cost of entry to the territory

The cost of the ticket affects the number of people in the tour group. The more participants, the cheaper the attendance. Individual tickets are more expensive than group tickets.

Children under 5 years of age and persons accompanying persons with disabilities visit the bridge for free. Admission ticket for an adult costs £11.40. You have to pay £5.70 for a child. Combination ticket (children accompanied by adults) costs from £19.38. Prices are subject to change upward. To save money, it is recommended to buy tickets online.

Some categories of visitors (people with disabilities, students, pensioners) are given discounts. To take advantage of the benefit, you must provide a document entitling you to receive it (passport, ID card, etc.).

Photos from different angles

You can take beautiful pictures of one of London’s calling cards at any time of day. The landmark looks especially spectacular in the evening, when the lighting system on the monument of architecture is turned on.

Interesting and little-known facts

Interesting facts about the attraction:

1. Foreigners often confuse Tower Bridge with London Bridge. They are located close to each other. But London Bridge is of less interest to travelers.
2. Until the 1890s, the only way to get to the opposite bank of the Thames was the Tower Subway tunnel under the river.
3. The bridge is drawn at least once a day. However, it is almost impossible to know when this will happen. Vessels passing on the Thames have requested in advance that the bridge be drawn.
4. Tower Bridge’s aesthetics were sharply criticized by many artists at the beginning of the last century. For example, designer and artist Frank Brangvin called the new construction “an absurd construction.
5. The upper galleries could be used during the opening of the bridge. However, the crossings became dangerous because of the large concentration of robbers and prostitutes in them. The galleries were opened after the glass floor was installed.
6. In 1997, the motorcade of U.S. President Bill Clinton drove through the crossing. After the bridge was drawn up, the procession was divided. The incident angered the security service of the American president.
7. A webcam has been installed not far from the attraction. Thanks to this device, viewers from around the world can watch the wings rise and enjoy a night view of the structure.
8. In 1952, the opening mechanism of the wings malfunctioned on the bridge. The driver of the city bus, passing through the crossing at the time, was able to prevent the accident by increasing the speed.
9. Some of the rooms in the towers are rented out for weddings, corporate parties and other events.
10. A copy of the Tower Bridge towers can be seen in Suzhou, China.
11. The bridge is a suspension bridge and a drawbridge at the same time.

Excursions to the Tower Bridge

Visitors to the attraction are invited to explore both towers, galleries with a glass floor, and the engine room.

Types of excursions:

1. “Full Visit” (touring the Tower Bridge exhibition). Guests are told the history of the building from the Victorian era to the present day. The narration is accompanied by a demonstration of film and animation.
2. “Shared Attendance. After the “Full Visit,” tourists are invited to go up to the observation deck of the monument.
3. “Individual Evening. The peculiarity of this tour is that it takes place after the museum is closed. “Individual evening” must be booked in advance.
4. “Personal Guide. An accredited specialist tells the visitor the story of the attraction in more detail.

The main part of the exposition is located inside the towers. However, the exhibits can also be in pedestrian galleries.

Prices

Excursions cost from £20.00. Members of groups accompanied by a sign language interpreter pay £11.40 per ticket.

Hotels near Tower Bridge

Hotels located near the bridge:

1. The Tower Hotel. The hotel was built just 200 meters from the monument of architecture. You can see the famous towers from your room window. In addition, The Tower Hotel is a short drive from the Tay Gallery and St. Joseph’s Docks. Catherine.
2. The Lalit London. The five-star hotel 4 km from the city center has everything you need for a comfortable stay: 24-hour bar, health club, restaurant. Some rooms have a unique design. The staff at The Lalit London speaks German, Spanish, Russian, Hindi, Hungarian and other languages.
3. Hilton London Tower Bridge. Elegant bright hotel rooms are equipped with en-suite bathrooms, satellite TV and safes. The international cuisine allows guests from different countries to choose familiar dishes.
4. Motel One London-Tower Hill. The hotel occupies a 15-storey building. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Motel One London-Tower Hill. Rooms are protected from unauthorized access by electronic keys. Not far from the hotel there is the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul. Paul.
5. Shangri-La The Shard. The hotel offers European cuisine. Shangri-La has a heated swimming pool, communal lounge and bar. For an additional fee, travelers are offered parking. The Tower Bridge is just a 7-10 minute walk from this hotel.

The average room rate in these hotels is £126-154 per night. Shangri-La The Shard is among the most expensive hotels in the city. The price of a room per night starts from £604.