One of the most famous hallmarks of Blighty and the most recognizable bridge in the world got its name from the Tower of London, the medieval castle located nearby on the north bank of the Thames.

Tower Bridge has been decorating the capital of England since 1894. It is a Gothic structure of the Victorian flair with two 65-meter towers that connect the bascule and suspension parts of the bridge. Its design was developed so that pedestrians weren’t distracted by the lower span of the bridge, which opens up to let river transport pass. At first, the bridge was raised several dozen times a day, but today it happens no more than five times a week.

A visit to Tower Bridge is like exploring a jewelry box that is madly interesting, incredibly beautiful, and terribly exciting. But all these unforgettable experiences await only the tourists that decide to visit the local museum and observation deck.

The tour starts with an ascent to the North Tower, with the ambiance of the 19th century swiftly overtaking you. Here, you will also begin your discovery of the history of the Tower Bridge that has both light and dark chapters. Next, you will see a 360-degree observation deck with a fantastic transparent floor, the most impressive and exciting part of the tour. The floor is made of six glass panels, each weighing 530 kilos, so you have nothing to fear. The observation deck offers excellent views of the entire city: from the Tower of London to St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard skyscraper to Wembley Stadium, red buses underneath you to river transport on the horizon.

Descending from the South Tower and along the Blue Line, you will find yourself in the engine room, which once was the heart of the structure. There are actual steam engines that set the drawbridge mechanism in motion. More than 80 people had maintained them until 1976, when Tower Bridge switched from steam to electricity.