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Tower Bridge - London Hotels .com

Tower Bridge

The Tower Bridge is one of London's most recognizable symbols and well worth a visit. So make sure to take out an hour from your busy sight-seeing schedule to go and learn more about the history of the bridge. 

At the Tower Bridge Experience, you can see one of the most famous bridges in the world and get spectacular views from the high level walkways, 140 feet above the River Thames. In the two towers, you can discover an exhibition which explains the history of the Tower Bridge.

The exhibitions main features are a pictorial and video presentation of the construction and history of the bridge; a walk across the high level walkways that offer panoramic views over the river and adjacent London; and a tour of the original steam powered engine rooms where some of the machinery is still powered up. The tour also includes some simulation and interactive displays.

In building the bridge, two massive piers had to be sunk in the river bed to support the construction and over 11,000 tons of steel was used. For passing ships, the bridge has to be raised by hydraulic power using accumulators. The hydraulics were originally charged using steam power, but in 1976 this was replaced by electricity.

When raised, the bridge is 135 feet high and 200 feet wide. It is raised about 900 times a year requiring at least 24 hours notice prior to a lift. You can plan your visit to coincide with a bridge lift by calling the bridge information line in advance at +44 (0) 20 7940 3985.

A nice hotel near the London Bridge is the London Bridge Hotel, a four-star hotel which opened in 1998.

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7403 3761

Tube Station: Tower Hill

URL: http://www.towerbridge.co.uk