Tower Bridge, London

An overview of Tower Bridge: what it is, where it stands and why it matters.

What it is

Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge over the River Thames in London. Its two Gothic-style towers, linked by high-level walkways, make it one of the best-known landmarks in the United Kingdom. It is often mistaken for London Bridge, which is a different and much plainer bridge a short way upstream.

Where it stands

The bridge crosses the Thames close to the Tower of London, which gives it its name. It links the area around the Tower on the north bank with Bermondsey on the south bank, downstream of London Bridge.

Why it matters

In the late 1800s the East End of London needed a new river crossing, but a fixed bridge downstream would have blocked tall ships from reaching the Pool of London. The answer was a bridge whose road could lift. Tower Bridge opened in 1894 and its roadway still opens for ships today, so it is both a working piece of Victorian engineering and a symbol of the city.

Explore this guide

• History: why it was built, who designed it and how it was constructed.
• Engineering: how the bascules, towers and walkways work.
• Visiting: practical information for a visit.
• Quick facts: key figures in one place.