Behind-the-scenes Tour

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at London’s defining landmark?

This fascinating tour will take you on a rare and extended look around Tower Bridge: from its iconic Towers, high-level Walkways and Victorian Engine Rooms down to its hidden depths, normally out of bounds to the public.

Led by one of our expert guides, you will discover the fascinating history of the Bridge’s design and construction, take in the unparalleled views from the spectacular Glass Floor and high-level Walkway, then get up close to the original steam engines, accumulators and boilers in the Victorian Engine Rooms.

This tour also goes behind-the-scenes to the Bridge’s operational areas including the Control Cabin, Machinery Room and the immense Bascule Chambers, which house the enormous 422-ton counterweights that form the unseen part of the iconic Bridge Lifts.

This is a thrilling experience not to be missed.

Recommendation: This tour usually sells out so be sure to book in advance.

Essential Information

These tours normally run from November to February.

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What to Expect

Tower Bridge’s Behind-the-Scenes tour is a unique experience with access to operational areas not normally open to the public. The tour visits both indoor & outdoor areas which are naturally dirty as part of everyday Bridge operations. There are uneven floors and some of the spaces are damp and cold, especially those located underneath the Bridge and below river level - some of these are considered confined spaces and have no windows and no natural light.

The Bascule Chambers are accessed via 115 steep steps.

All visitors need to:

Wear comfortable footwear and practical, warm clothing
Be of sound health in the event of an emergency evacuation from these areas
Wear a face covering for the duration of the tour (unless exempt) and follow social distancing guidelines.

Important information

Due to the operational nature of some of the spaces, this tour is not fully accessible.

Attendees must be 14 years or older; those aged 14 to 17 years must be accompanied by an adult.

All visitors must bring photo ID with them.

Please ensure you read the Behind-the-Scenes Tour waiver below.

Waiver - please read

This waiver forms section 9.6 of our general terms and conditions, which can be found in full here.

This tour takes place in the restricted, operational areas which house the moving parts and mechanisms for raising the Bridge to river traffic and as such this tour is not fully accessible. If a Visitor has any access requirements, they should contact +44 (0)20 7407 9191 or bookings@towerbridge.org.uk before booking.
The Bascule Chambers are accessed via 115 steep steps; a combination of concrete stairs and metallic spiral staircases. The Chambers are considered confined spaces, located underneath the Bridge and below river level. As such there are no windows and no natural light. The tour includes outdoor spaces, areas which are naturally dirty as part of Bridge operations, uneven floors and damp and/or cold spaces, which are beneath river level. Visitors must therefore be of sound health in the event of an emergency evacuation from these areas.
Tower Bridge’s Towers, high-level Walkways and Victorian Engine Rooms are fully accessible.
Tower Bridge staff will accompany Visitors at all times during the tour.
All Visitors should wear comfortable footwear (no high heels) and practical, warm clothing.
Visitors must be over 14 years old; those aged 14 to 17 years must be accompanied by an adult.
Due to the City of London Corporation's statutory obligation to raise Tower Bridge for river traffic with 24 hours' notice, it is possible that booked Bridge Lifts can alter the advertised time of the tour. The effect on timings is likely to be minimal, and Visitors will be contacted at the earliest opportunity via email if their tour is affected. Where the service cannot be provided, ticket holders will be informed, and a full refund given.
Where Visitors arrive late for the start of a tour every effort will be made to get them to the group, however, no refunds will be given in the event of staff not being able to add them to the group.
Tower Bridge has the right to refuse entry to Visitors who have not complied with these conditions.
Tower Bridge can take no responsibility for accidents that may ensue during this tour.

What our visitors say

For someone interested in out of the ordinary activities, this is a great insight into a global icon.

Anonymous

Nov 2020

The behind the scenes tour of the engine room/bascule chamber is simply magnificent

Anonymous

Nov 2020

The tour is a great value for money. The guide and engineer were friendly and helpful.

Stephen

Dec 2019