What the Victorians Did for Us
14th June – 7th September 2008
Visit London’s most famous Victorian landmark this summer to see how Victorian inventions have shaped our lives
Be it donkey rides or department stores, antiseptic or anaesthetic, railway trains, light bulbs or the rules of football: those ingenious Victorians gave us them all.
Tower Bridge - the showpiece of Victorian engineering - pays tribute to this enterprising age with a special summer exhibition, fun & sames and a superb prize quiz, staged in the high-level Walkways of the Tower Bridge Exhibition.
Games are laid out in the panoramic East Walkway of the Tower Bridge Exhibition where hopscotch, cup & ball and other deceptively simply Victorian pastimes challenge visitors to test their skills.
The fun continues in the spectacular West Walkway where lively display panels and interactive elements introduce the great Victorians and their amazing achievements which still influence our lives today.
Great characters under the spotlight range from Florence Nightingale to Marie Lloyd, Dr Livingstone to Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Great inventions cover an awesome catalogue from photographs to fingerprints, moving pictures to Morse Code.
Sharp eyes can spot the answers to the prize quiz, which offers the winning family a memorable Victorian Weekend in London. The prize includes a Behind-the-Scenes tour of Tower Bridge, taking in the control rooms and huge bascule chambers beneath The Thames, a night’s stay in the City’s boutique, five-star Threadneedles Hotel, London Transport weekend Travelcards and free admission to a further five, fascinating London attractions on the Victorian theme.
During the month of August, less reverent anecdotes are supplied by a visiting “Victorian Professor”, who offers his eccentric insight to those who accompany him on his tours. Visitors intrigued to share such snippets as who met their downfall at Queen Victoria’s coronation, or what Her Majesty really thought of Tower Bridge, can see the Professor in action at 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm, every day except Wednesdays throughout August.
What the Victorians Did for Us is included in the usual Tower Bridge Exhibition admission prices.