In this article, I present London Bridgeoften confused with Tower Bridgeto help you choose the right tour!
Here you'll find
- A presentation of London Bridge
- The difference between London Bridge and Tower Bridge
- What makes them interesting
- How to reach them easily
- Practical information: opening hours, anecdotes and tour tips
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about London Bridge, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
London Bridge: article summary
London Bridge, a historic bridge across the Thames
The British capital has many bridges, one of which is referred to as the London Bridge. While the bridge has an interesting history, it is now a modern building with little appeal.
On the other hand, a neighbouring bridge 900 metres downstream on the Thames is well worth a visit: the Tower Bridge opposite the famous Tower of London !
I present to you these two bridges and what they have to offer.
Introducing London Bridge
London Bridge is the oldest bridge linking the capital's road and river crossings. The first wooden version dates back to Roman times, until a stone bridge was built between 1176 and 1209.
It was fortified and rebuilt several times over the centuries, with an 1831 granite version dismantled and moved to Lake Havasu City in the state of Arizona in the USA, where it is reassembled and still visible. It is replaced in 1973 by the current London Bridge, designed by architect Harold King, who completely modernized it.
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It's now a bridge with little tourist appealwhich pedestrians and vehicles use to move from the Cité de London to Southwark. Only the view of the Tower Bridge a neighbor well worth the detour!
Facts and figures about the bridge  Â
- Visit XIIᵉ centuryAt the time, there were buildings, houses and a church on this bridge, but these have since disappeared due to the inconvenience they caused to traffic.
- It measures 262 metres long for a height of 8.9 metres
- A nursery rhyme, London Bridge Is Falling Downis very popular with young English people. It reminds us of the fragility of the work, its many reconstructions and ideas for repairing it!
Can you visit London Bridge?
The official London Bridge cannot be visitedYou can walk around it or admire it from afar.
On the other hand, I strongly recommend a visit to nearby Tower Bridge!
Tower Bridge, London's most famous bridge!
Too often confused with London Bridge, Tower Bridge is a few hundred metres further down, in front of the Tower of London.
It's a bascule bridge, built in 1984This was the time when the growing population of the East End required the construction of a new crossing over the Thames. And the idea for a bascule bridge came from the fact that a conventional bridge would have prevented larger ships from crossing to the nearby port of Pool of London.
It is easily recognizable, with its two towersits imposing dimensions (244 metres long and 65 metres high) and its neo-Gothic styleThe building is modelled on the architecture of the medieval fortress of the Tower of London, so as not to stand out in the landscape.
Several times a day, the bridge opens to let the boats through, a process that takes around 1.30 minutes. Of course, you're welcome to attend!
It can be visited and offers memorable activities, which I'd like to introduce to you!
What to see and do at Tower Bridge
A visit to the Tower Bridge is full of surprises, and you're sure to enjoy both the views and the sensations. Here's what's in store!
The glass walkway
If the lower part is reserved for road and river traffic, a glass walkway was built at the top, between the two towers. At a height of 40 metres, it offers a magnificent view of the surrounding area.
To complete the experience, glass slabs have been installed on the footbridge, so that visitors can see the sieve and the void. Those afraid of heights are warned!
The engine room (via Tower Bridge Exhibition)
Your reward for crossing the footbridge is access to the machine room. Discover the impressive mechanism that allowed the bridge to be raised several times a day.
The mechanism is now computer-controlled, which has caused malfunctions on several occasions. Which just goes to show that, sometimes, the engineering of the past has some trump cards to play.
Le levée du Pont
If you're lucky, you'll be able to see the bridge lift when you're on the bridge. Otherwise, feel free to observe this event from afar, by leaving it to chance or by consulting the updated schedules on the official website.
How do I get to London Bridge?
London Bridge can be found at the following address: London EC4R 9HA
You can access it easily via :
- Visit metroJubilee line, London Bridge stop. It is located in the station of the same name
- River shuttle, RB1, RB2, RB6 and RBS, London Bridge City Pier stop
- Buses 21, 35, 43, 47, 133, London Bridge stop
Visit Tower Bridge can only be found in 900 meters downstream (at Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP) and you can access :
- By subway, District and Circle lines, Tower Hill stop
- By bus, with routes 15, 42, 78, 100 and RV1
- By river shuttle, getting off at St Katherine Pier and Tower Pier stops
Tower bridge: prices, opening hours and practical information
Rather than focusing on London Bridge, it's much more interesting to discover the Tower Bridge. Here's what you need to know before visiting!
Rates and booking
- Adult ticket: £12.30
- Children's ticket (5 to 15 years): £6.20
- Free for children under 5
You can book your tickets on the official website (which also offers guided tours at £27.00 / £12.30). Or directly from the bridge ticket office, if you don't mind queues.
Opening hours
Tower Bridge is open to visitors every day, 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry at 5pm).
Allow no more than an hour for the tour.
Practical information
Bags are systematically searched during the visit.
Be aware that the queue is outside, which is a good thing to know in case it rains - a frequent occurrence in London.
What to see and do in the area?
You'll find plenty of interesting things to do around London Bridge and Tower Bridge. Here are a few suggestions to keep you exploring London!
- Visit the Tower of Londonthe ancient medieval fortress with its ramparts and emblematic corbels
- Climb to the top of The Shardwhich offers the most impressive view of the capital
- Coffee at the Sky Gardenin the heart of the City, to admire London from above
- Visit the Monument to the Great Fire of London which recalls the fateful event of 1666. Fascinating for the history, magnificent for the view!
What to do in London in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special London guide.
It's free and in PDF format.
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