Tower Bridge
"Tower Bridge is London's most famous bridge, a Victorian Gothic suspension bridge with twin towers and a glass walkway at the top. Built in 1894, the bridge still lifts (bascules rise) to allow tall ships through—you can watch the bridge lift times online. Often confused with London Bridge, which is a plain modern bridge nearby."
Logistics
Affordable
Vibe
Victorian, grand
Duration
20-30 minutes
Best For
Photography
The Backstory
Took 8 years to build (1886-1894) and required 432 construction workers. The bridge lifts around 800 times per year for river traffic. During WWII, it was camouflaged to avoid German bombers. The glass floor walkway was added in 2014.
Local Secret
"Check the bridge lift schedule online and arrive 10 minutes early to watch it open—it's dramatic and free to watch from ground level. The glass walkway ticket (£12) is skippable unless you love bridges. Best photographed from the south bank or HMS Belfast."