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Bridge Lifts

Tower Bridge lifts around 500 times a year. This page details upcoming Bridge Lift times, which vessels will pass through, and the direction of their travel.

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Tower Bridge lifting for a vessel

32 results

October

Tuesday 13 October 2026

Today

10:00 Upriver

Tower Bridge

Maintenance Lift

A close up image of Tower Bridge showing the bascules raising

10:45 Downriver

Tower Bridge

Maintenance Lift

A close up image of Tower Bridge showing the bascules raising

14:00 Upriver

Tower Bridge

Maintenance Lift

A close up image of Tower Bridge showing the bascules raising

14:45 Downriver

Tower Bridge

Maintenance Lift

A close up image of Tower Bridge showing the bascules raising

Wednesday 14 October 2026

11:30 Upriver

Sailing Barge

Will

11:30 Upriver

Cable Ship

Scheldemond I

12:30 Downriver

Sailing Barge

Will

Thursday 15 October 2026

15:45 Upriver

Marine Towage and Salvage/Tugboat

VB Peter

15:45 Upriver

Marine Towage and Salvage/Tugboat

VB Boluman

16:15 Downriver

Marine Towage and Salvage/Tugboat

VB Peter

16:15

Marine Towage and Salvage/Tugboat

VB Boluman

16:15 Downriver

Vessel

Saturday 17 October 2026

10:30 Upriver

Sailing Barge

Will

11:15 Downriver

Sailing Barge

Will

15:30 Upriver

Sailing Barge

Will

16:15 Downriver

Sailing Barge

Will

Sunday 18 October 2026

18:30 Upriver

Motor Vessel

Dutch Master

Saturday 24 October 2026

23:30 Upriver

Motor Vessel

Dutch Master

Saturday 31 October 2026

16:15 Upriver

Motor Vessel

Dutch Master

November

Friday 6 November 2026

18:45 Upriver

Paddle Steamer

Dixie Queen

19:30 Downriver

Paddle Steamer

Dixie Queen

22:30 Upriver

Paddle Steamer

Dixie Queen

23:15 Downriver

Paddle Steamer

Dixie Queen

Wednesday 11 November 2026

10:15 Upriver

Passenger Ship

Edwardian

Friday 27 November 2026

19:15 Upriver

Paddle Steamer

Dixie Queen

20:00 Downriver

Paddle Steamer

Dixie Queen

23:15 Upriver

Paddle Steamer

Dixie Queen

Saturday 28 November 2026

00:00 Downriver

Paddle Steamer

Dixie Queen

December

Saturday 5 December 2026

18:45 Upriver

Paddle Steamer

Dixie Queen

19:30 Downriver

Paddle Steamer

Dixie Queen

23:15 Upriver

Paddle Steamer

Dixie Queen

Sunday 6 December 2026

00:00 Downriver

Paddle Steamer

Dixie Queen

Stories behind Bridge Lifts

Ever wondered how and why Tower Bridge lifts? Discover more about this wonderous sight and the stories behind it.

Browse more stories
A historical painting of Tower Bridge with ships sailing through.

10 interesting vessels to sail through Tower Bridge

10 interesting and iconic vessels that have passed through Tower Bridge since the opening at 1894.
A Bridge Driver standing in the old control room over several large levers in front of dials in the background. The photo is black and white.

What does a Bridge Driver do?

Behind every Bridge Lift, there is a highly skilled Bridge Driver. Take a deep dive into the role and find out what it takes to train for a truly unique job.
An old postcard of Tower Bridge lifting for a large ship

How does Tower Bridge work?

Tower Bridge opens up to let boats through, but have you ever wondered how that works?
Bridge Lift for the Gotheborg of Sweden at Tower Bridge

Why does Tower Bridge open?

Tower Bridge opens to let tall boats pass through. Learn more about why Tower Bridge lifts.
A dark large cavernous space with curved brick stairs.

The Bascule Chambers

One of London’s greatest hidden spaces, the Bascule Chambers were built as an operational area to allow for the movement of Tower Bridge's huge counterweights used during Bridge Lifts. 

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