Tower Bridge London

To me, the most recognisable landmark in London has to be Tower Bridge. So many people like to use the Millennium Eye as the landmark of London but it wasn't even around when I was little. It is of course one of the must visits for any tourist in London and therefore I was very excited to take a boat trip passing through it and admiring the river views at the same time.

So here are some background facts about the Tower Bridge in London:

It is a suspension bridge which was built at the end of the 19th century between 1886 and 1894 and it crosses the River Thames very close to the Tower of London. Many people assume that Tower Bridge is also London Bridge but actually it is not. London bridge is further up the river.

Tower bridge is owned by the Bridge House Estates and is one of the five bridges they maintain. Funds come from the City of London corp.

The bridge has two towers which are linked together at the top by walkways and can withstand the horizontal tension of the parts of the bridge which are suspended.

The bridge was opened in 1894 by the Prince of Whalese (king Edward VII) and served as the shortest way to cross the river from Tower Hill to Tooley Street.

The walkway above used to be known as a spot for hookers and other thieves because it was rarely used by pedestrians to cross the bridge. It was subsequently closed in 1910 but reopened in 1982.

When there was lots of river traffic, the bascules would be raised quite frequently, and during this time, people on the bridge would have to wait and watch in awe as the boats below would pass by.

Interestingly, the bascules are only raised at an angle sufficient to let the boats pass by and not fully up. However, if the monarch is onboard a passing boat, then the bascules are always raised fully, regardless of the size of the boat.