I had been looking forward to going up tower Bridge for some time and last week I did. Thanks to Igerslondon Instagram group & the Tower of London for the invitation to see this wonderful building.
Tower Bridge is one of the oldest bridges on the Thames having been built 120 years ago. The bridge is situated near the tower of London and is run by the corporation of London the bridge is raised over 800 times a year.
The bridge is a spectacular icon of London and even more impressive with the new glass floor that has been added last autumn.
We took the lift up to the top of the bridge (42m high) with stunning views of London awaiting us on a sunny spring day.
We watched a video about the bridge before our tour guides explained the history of the bridge. It is the only bridge in the world where you can get married in plus it is the most visited bridge.
We were then shown the glass floor looking down on the Thames & road below. It is a bit self concerning when you first walk on it as your brain is telling you that you are about to fall. After a while you get used to it.
We were then shown a video on the building of the bridge and the immense engineering feats that were taken.
The bridge was lifted by steam when it was first built and until 1976 it was still used until electric motors replaced them. In case the steam failed there was a backup part which had water under pressure which could lift the bridge for a week or so.
Below are some photographs taken in one of the water pressure chambers. Plus where the mechanism that swings the bridge. The motors and cam shaft were huge and still work.
The old engines can be seen in the video / photos below.
With visitor numbers of
600,000+ this has grown since the glass floor was put in an increase of 20%. It is definitely an amazing place to visit on your next trip to London.
More photographs can be seen on my Flickr account and on Instagram.
Links
Flickr – httpss://www.flickr.com/photos/alalchan/sets/72157653577601015
Tower Bridge – https://www.towerbridge.com
Instagramers London – https://www.meetup.com/InstagramersLondon/
