Have you ever wondered what goes on inside London’s iconic Tower Bridge? How the bascules are raised? (Or even what a bascule is…?) Why the high-level walkways are now out of use? Or perhaps what inspired the Bridge’s world-famous design? Well, this fascinating guided tour will answer all of your questions, and then some.
This winter, you’ll have the chance to get a rare look inside the Bridge, from the Victorian Engine Rooms to its iconic towers; as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the Bridge’s operational areas, such as the Control Cabin, the Machinery Room, and the Chamber of Secrets Bascule Chambers, which are home to the enormous 420-ton counterweights that form the unseen part of the iconic Bridge lifts.
We were lucky enough to tag along on one of the Behind-the-Scenes tours. Watch the video below to see how we got on:
Tower Bridge tour
The tours are led by an expert guide, supported by the Bridge’s technical team, and you can expect to learn all there is to know about the landmarks’ beguiling history. As well as exploring its deep depths, you’ll also get to experience the high-level walkways that once allowed pedestrians to cross the Bridge even when it was raised, and walk over the knee-jiggling glass floor that offers unmatched views of the Bridge below.
This winter, they’re making the tours more accessible to a wider swathe of Londoners. To do so, they are offering Behind-the-Scenes tours of Tower Bridge with a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.
Be warned – this is an enormous piece of operating machinery. As such, there are certain things to keep in mind before joining the tour. It’s recommended to wear comfortable footwear and practical, warm clothing. They also recommend that participants be of sound health in case of an emergency evacuation. Be forewarned, too, that one aspect of the tour will require you to climb 115 steep steps (of which 35 are a spiral staircase). Portions of the indoor and outdoor areas may be naturally dirty, “as part of everyday Bridge operations,” and guests may encounter uneven floors, cold spaces, and windowless areas that are “considered confined spaces”.
Tickets aren’t cheap at £80 a pop for adults, but this is certainly a unique opportunity. Tickets are currently sold out for the November and December tours, but you can sign up to find out when the January 2026 tours go on sale. Find out more here.
