What is it?
Tower Bridge is one of the most famous river crossings in the world, but at 130 years, it isn't actually that old. Still, the fact that it lifts up in the middle when large vessels are passing underneath makes it an icon that most children probably picture in their minds when singing ‘London Bridge is falling down’.
Planes have flown through it, David Beckham has steered a speedboat underneath it and in 1952 a double-decker bus really did ‘leap’ over the gap when the bridge started to lift without warning.
When it was finally finished in 1894 – working having begun in 1886 – Tower Bridge was steam-powered (seriously) and was considered a miracle of Victorian engineering. In 1974 it underwent a transformation, with an electro-hydraulic system installed, but you can still see the old steam engines inside the Engine Rooms.
Why go?
To take in the stunning views, not just up and down the Thames, but of the road below as well. Those with a strong stomach can also stare 42 metres down through the glass floor that was put in place for the bridge's 120th year in 2014. Inside Tower Bridge, you can be transported back to Victorian Britain, by seeing the the powerful machinery of its early years.
Don't miss:
The bridge lift. Tower Bridge is actually raised 850 times a year, so next time you're walking past, wait and see what happens. It is always a treat to see the bridge go up.
When to visit:
Open daily from 9.30am-6pm
Ticket info:
Adult tickets cost £13.40; Seniors and Student tickets cost £10.10; Child tickets cost £6.70
Time Out tip:
On a hot day, I like to grab a picnic and sit right by the Thames in the nearby Potters Fields Park to wait for the bridge lift - trust me, it is worth it!