At London Duck Tours we love a bridge that’s an outstanding feat of engineering, is part meccano toy and part fairytale castle, and in Tower Bridge we have just that!
This supersized neo gothic structure was for many years the only bridge below the original London Bridge to span the Thames. Designed by Sir Horace Jones in 1885 and completed in 1894, it has an impressive opening span section, which measures 200ft wide and 13ft high. When built, and London was at the centre of the international sea trade and a busy working port, the opening span allowed the high masts of tall ships to easily sail through into the Pool of London. “Opening times” for the span of the bridge can be found on the Tower Bridge website – night-time views of the bridge opening up are especially awesome – take your camera!
Icon of London
The mighty Tower Bridge is a suspension and bascule bridge, the bridge is so named as it crosses the Thames beside the Tower Of London. Its current colour scheme dates from 1977 when it was repainted red white and blue to commemorate Queen Elizabeth IIs Silver Jubilee (25 years on the throne.
The steel framed towers are hidden by Victorian stone cladding, and highly innovative for the era, as they hide two lift shafts, bascule pivots and operating machinery. The lifts would take 19th Century pedestrians up to the high level walkway, enabling them to still walk across the Thames even when a tall ship was passing through!
Tower Bridge Experience
The high level pedestrian walkway now forms part of the Tower Bridge Experience where visitors can explore interactive displays, films, animation and a journey back in time to a Victorian steam powered engine room! Are you brave enough to step onto the sky high walkway with its clear glass floor? The perfect spot for a bit of birds eye view boat spotting! But as well as the river – cast your eyes to the horizon and admire the incredible panoramic views of London’s skyline, including many of London Duck Tours favourite landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral, The Monument, Canary Wharf and the London Eye.
