Tower Bridge: how the opening works and what to see in the galleries

Tower Bridge lifts about 800 times a year. But most tourists only see the postcard view with the raised bascules (lift schedule, as of 09/2026). The lift, the glass floor galleries, and the view of the Tower are best planned in advance. The entrance line forms outdoors, and morning slots go first.

From here on, only practical details: opening hours, tickets, the route from the Tube, and the honest catches.

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History of the bridge

💡 In short:

• The bridge is open daily from 09:30 to 18:00, last entry at 17:00 (as of 09/2026, Plan your visit page).
• The bascules lift about 800 times a year, and the schedule is published in advance (Bridge Lifts).
• Buy tickets online: the ticket office sells them for the nearest time slot, and the line forms outside.
• Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official website.

A drawbridge at this location was designed so it would not obstruct shipping. The crossing was meant to connect the banks of the Thames downstream of London Bridge, where ships queued to unload. Parliament only approved the construction in the second half of the 19th century.

The compromise with shipowners was found in lifting bascules. Pedestrians and carriages cross the bridge, while ships pass through when the bascules are raised. The winning Gothic design was by Horace Jones, but the architect did not live to see it open: construction was completed by John Wolfe Barry.

© Barcex · CC BY-SAPhoto: Barcex, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The bridge opened on June 30, 1894, in the presence of the Prince of Wales, Edward. It took eight years to build, and dozens of designs were considered in the competition. The construction timeline and drawings are collected on the bridge's website. For more about the country, see our roundup of interesting facts about Great Britain.

Description of the architectural design

The bridge consists of two towers, two suspension spans, and a central lifting section. The towers stand 65 meters tall, and the pedestrian galleries between them sit 42 meters above the water (as of 09/2026, official bridge website).

© Sarahhoa · CC BY-SAPhoto: Sarahhoa, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The steel frame took 11,000 tons of steel, and together with the brickwork this made the bridge one of the most expensive projects in England of the 19th century (as of 09/2026, official bridge website). The combination of steel and stone was an innovative solution for the 1890s. The bridge is 244 meters long, and its longest span stretches 61 meters (as of 09/2026, official bridge website).

Elevators inside the towers take visitors up to the upper walkways. Shipping under the bridge is restricted, and large ocean-going vessels do not pass through here. You can cross the bridge by road for free, 24 hours a day: you only pay to enter the towers and walkways.

How the bridge opens and on what schedule

The bridge is raised by lifting counterweight bascules that rise almost to vertical. This angle leaves a clear passage for a tall sailing ship's mast. In the first decades, the mechanisms ran on steam, and the entire operation was powered by eight hydraulic engines.

Today the engines are electric, and the lift schedule is known in advance. A notice board with the day's schedule hangs at the entrance to the walkways, and the full schedule is published on the Bridge Lifts page.

The bridge opens about 800 times a year, which averages more than twice a day (as of 09/2026, lift schedule). On September 15, 2026, the bascules were raised three times: at 12:45, 16:00 and 17:15. If you show up without checking the schedule, your chance of seeing the bridge open is slim. The operation itself takes a few minutes, and pedestrians are asked to leave the central section in advance.

The Tower Bridge towers

The towers were built as an example of castle architecture, so they would match the style of the Tower fortress nearby. Gothic spires, windows with stone tracery and massive corner columns turn them into an extension of the medieval fortress.

© Colin · CC BY-SAPhoto: Colin, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The walls are clad in granite, so what you see is not a 19th-century engineering structure but part of a fortress ensemble. Steel chains between the towers add visible strength to the structure. The walkways house an exhibition about the construction, and an electronic display shows the stages of the work.

Walkways with the glass floor and views

The main part of the visit: two high walkways with views of the Thames, the docks and the Tower walls. The glass floor in one of the walkways stretches for 11 meters.

© Nan Palmero from San Antonio, TX, USA · CC BYPhoto: Nan Palmero from San Antonio, TX, USA, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The steel plates were replaced with glass panels 6 cm thick and weighing about 530 kg (as of 09/2026, visit plan). Through the floor you can see riverboats and sailing ships passing below. Almost every visitor takes a photo above the river, so there is always a line at the glass.

Elevators take up those who find the stairs difficult, but staff recommend walking up: the best view opens up along the way (as of 09/2026, visitor rules). The catch is that glass bottles cannot be brought to the transparent floor, and every bag is inspected at the entrance.

Tickets and opening hours (as of 09/2026)

The bridge is open daily from 09:30 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:00 (opening hours, 09/2026). The ticket office and entrance are west of the north tower. Tickets are sold online and on site.

The entrance ticket costs a two-digit amount in pounds; the exact price and available slots are shown on the pricing page. Booking online saves time: the entry line is outdoors. Take a 09:30 slot, when the galleries are almost empty.

The bridge is closed every year on December 24, 25, and 26, and on January 1 it opens only at 10:00 (as of 09/2026, holiday hours). There is no cafe or restaurant inside, so bring water and a snack with you. You can eat at Potters Fields Park on the south bank.

How to get there from the Tube and train stations

From Tower Hill station to the ticket office it is 500 meters, about a 7-minute walk (how to get there, 09/2026). From London Bridge the route is longer: 1 km to the Engine Rooms entrance. The District and Circle lines are the most convenient Tube options.

Buses 15, 42, 78, and 100 stop near the bridge. From the north bank you can take a river bus to Tower Pier, and from the south bank to London Bridge City Pier. If you arrive with a suitcase, stay nearby: London hotel prices on Trip.com are easy to compare by area. Parking on Tower Bridge Road is prohibited at all times.

Tower Bridge on the map

The map makes it easy to check which bank you are approaching the bridge from and where the Tower of London is located.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When does Tower Bridge open?

The schedule is published in advance, and in the warm season there can be several lifts per day. In September 2026, for example, the bascules were raised at 12:45, 16:00, and 17:15. Check the schedule page in the morning and time your visit for the right hour. A lift lasts only a few minutes, so arrive early.

How much does a ticket cost and what is included?

One ticket covers both galleries, the glass floor, and the Engine Rooms with the steam engines. The amount is two digits in pounds; the exact price and slots are listed on the bridge website. Online is cheaper and faster, because the entry line is outside. Take a 09:30 slot, while the galleries are almost empty.

What can't you bring into the galleries?

All bags, strollers, and backpacks are checked at the entrance. A backpack up to 45x35x20 cm is allowed, but suitcases and wheeled bags must be left behind. Glass bottles and other glass items are prohibited near the glass floor. Dogs on a leash are allowed, but the number of animals may be limited at peak times (safety requirements).

How do you get there from the Tube?

From Tower Hill station it is 500 meters, about a 7-minute walk, and that is the shortest route to the ticket office. From London Bridge it is 1 km to the Engine Rooms entrance. The District and Circle lines work well, as do buses 15, 42, 78, and 100. A river bus will take you to Tower Pier from the north bank.

Is the bridge open in winter and on holidays?

The bridge is open all year, but on December 24, 25, and 26 the doors are closed, and on January 1 entry opens only at 10:00 (opening calendar). In winter there are fewer lifts, so check the schedule before your trip. Frost and wind feel stronger on the galleries than on the embankment, so bring a jacket.

In short: what to book

If you are in London for the first time, plan the galleries and the glass floor for the morning: by 09:30 the line is short, and the light in photos is softer. With kids, book a time slot in advance and take the elevator so they do not get tired on the stairs. If you want to see the bridge from the water, add a boat trip from Tower Pier.

Check the lift schedule on the same day using the timetable: the bridge is raised far from every hour. Tickets and tours around London are easy to compare in advance: options on GetYourGuide. The Tower of London fortress is nearby, and for another symbol of England, read the article about Stonehenge.