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ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE TOWER BRIDGE GLASS FLOOR EXPERIENCE!

INSIDE: The Complete Guide to Tower Bridge with Kids including the Tower Bridge Glass Floor experience! 

On our last visit to London, we tossed up between the Tower of London, or the London Tower Bridge Experience.

What got my boys over the line was the Tower Bridge Glass Walkway.

 The kids and I were intrigued!

Asking the question, can you walk across Tower Bridge in London?

The answer is YES!

Take a look below for details of this unique London adventure. 

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, we may receive a small commission at NO extra cost to you.

Sneak Peek at our Tower Bridge Glass Floor Video

Upon arrival, and with City Cruises Combo Ticket already in hand, we were ushered into a group and taken directly to the lift up to the start of the Tower Bridge Glass Floors Walkway.

(I’m not sure if the ‘fast pass’ letting us through was because of our pre-bought ticket, or the fact I had two busy active boys with me).

If you don’t like lifts, you can walk up the grand Victorian staircase instead.

Once at the top, we headed out along the High Level Walkway straight to the SUPER DOOPER FUN Tower Bridge Walkway! This new glass floor is the drawcard.

The TOWER BRIDGE GLASS FLOOR is 42 metres ABOVE the River Thames in London, a view you won’t find anywhere else in London city.

My boys showed NO fear at all.

They, along with other children, LAID DOWN on the floor almost immediately to get the closest view possible.

Paradoxically, there were quite a few adults who had to be coerced to put even a foot on the glass. (Myself included!)

Self preservation perhaps?


RELATED: The ULTIMATE List of Things to Do in London with Kids

tower bridge glass walkway ned on it

Obligatory ‘Scared’ Photo!

The Tower Bridge Walkway

Something feels innately wrong with stepping out onto the Tower Bridge glass floor!

To walk over Tower Bridge is kind of freaky, but super fun at the same time!

The highlight of standing 42 metres above the River Thames on the Tower Bridge glass floor was watching as iconic Red London buses, Black Cabs and tiny people traversed across the bridge in peak hour traffic.

We waved as City Cruise ferry boats sailed beneath.

tower bridge glass walkway tunnel

Inside Tower Bridge Experience

There’s something unique about this Tower Bridge Glass Walkway.

The glass walkway acted as a conductor of friendship under the most unlikely circumstances.

I listened to FIVE different people share their stories of how they came to be afraid of heights!

As we continued on with our explorations, we shared smiles, glances of recognition, and hi-fives with fellow achievers who beaten the Tower Bridge glass walkway challenge at the same time as us.

This was the highlight of this London tourist attraction.

How delightful it was to move through a London tourist destination with real-life interactions, laughter, and sharing stories with fellow explorers.

It was a noticeable change to the avoid-conversation-at-all-costs experience that is all too common in gimmicky and expensive tourist attractions.

tower bridge glass floor walkway tower of london view

Tower Bridge inside

The Tower Bridge Opening Times

There’s so much else to see from the walkways too.

The two most famous iconic London landmarks are:

  • St Paul’s Cathedral and
  • the Tower of London, being the two most famous.

There’s also an information display showing the 40+ great bridges in the world.

One thing WE DID NOT KNOW was that numerous times during the day, the bridge OPENS for passing boat traffic.

If you time your visit right, you can be standing on the glass walkway above it when it does!

The Tower Bridge lift times of the Tower gateway  can be found here.

Now, we’ll have to go back!

Engine room, Tower Bridge

Visit the Tower Bridge Museum

Following the visit to the Tower Bridge glass floor walkways, it’s time to head down to the Victorian Engine Rooms.

For the kids, this Tower Bridge engine room might actually be the highlight.

They’ll see machines that were once used to power the raising of the Tower Bridge ‘roads’ including: 

  • huge steam engines
  • furnaces and
  • other gadgets, and machinery

There’s some hands-on stuff for the kids here too.

image - tower bridge to home from london mug

Tower Bridge Gift Shop

Yes, there’s an official gift shop at Tower Bridge too. 

Stop in to pick up unique London souvenirs including:

  • Dora Designs British Bulldog doorstop
  • Happy Socks London Union Jack gift pack of three pairs of socks
  • UK coin sets
  • Tower Bridge magnets
  • Tower Bridge children’s books
  • 3D models of Tower Bridge
  • Tower Bridge coffee table books
  • Tower Bridge Christmas ornaments
  • To Home from London mugs (pictured above)
  • Bridge Master’s Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
  • Tower Bridge Whisky glasses

Check out the full collection of current Tower Bridge gifts here. 

Profits go towards supporting the City Bridge Trust’s charitable work across London.

London, Tower Bridge

FAQ: London Tower Bridge Facts for kids

Here’s 10 of the best Tower Bridge fun facts! 

No.1: How often does Tower Bridge open?

The Bridge is raised around 850 times each year. 

Check here for Bridge Lift Times.

No.2: Who designed Tower Bridge?

Horace Jones, the City Architect, in collaboration with John Wolfe Barry, was the man behind the design chosen from over 50 submissions in 1884.

No.3: When was Tower Bridge built?

Tower Bridge finally opened in 1892, a bridge designed to ease road traffic after eight years work by five major contractors.

Over 432 construction workers toiled and sweated from dusk to dawn over the eight years to build Tower Bridge.

No.4: How old is Tower Bridge?

Over 120 years old!

No.5: What’s the height of Tower Bridge?

It’s ‎213 ft (65 m) tall.

No.6: Does Tower Bridge have a glass floor?

Yes. The glass floor measures 11 metres long and 1.8 metres wide and comprise of panels weighing 530 kilograms each

The installation took a 20-strong team to construct it!

Tower Bridge, London

MORE about Tower Bridge For Kids 

No.7: How much did it cost to build the Tower Bridge?

According to Measuring Worth, the total cost of construction was £1,184,000 (equivalent to £132 million in 2018)

No.8: What is inside Tower Bridge? 

A fascinating exhibition showcasing:

  • the history of the bridge
  • spectacular London architecture
  • a sneak peek into the old engine rooms
  • film archives showing the history of the bridge’s construction, plus
  • amazing views of London.

No.9: Tower Bridge History

In 1952, a London bus driven by Albert Gunter had to leap from one bascule to the other when the bridge began to rise with the number 78 bus still on it!

In 1977, Tower Bridge was painted red, white and blue to celebrate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.

(Before that, it was painted a chocolate brown colour).

In 1982, Tower Bridge opened to the public for the first time since 1910, with a permanent exhibition inside called The Tower Bridge Experience.

Credit: Tower Bridge History. 

No.10: Last Tower Bridge information

Did you know 40,000 people cross Tower Bridge each day.

Tower Bridge

Things to do in Tower Bridge? Tower Bridge Family Activities

Each month, the staff at Tower Bridge dedicate a whole day to family friendly activities inside Tower Bridge.

Download the Family Activity Day Programme to see what’s coming up!

No.1: Tower Bridge Exhibition App

While we collected stickers for a Tower Bridge Exhibition Passport, visitors to Tower Bridge now have a BRAND NEW APP  to explore Tower Bridge like never before!

Designed especially for families, this app is all about hands-on interactive learning about Tower Bridge.

SUPER FUN!  

Check out some of the features below:

  • Transform your mobile device into a working wrench and tighten the bolts of a shaky engine
  • Shovel coal into the boiler to power the bridge
  • Steer your boat to safety along the Thames by tipping your phone from side to side!

Available on Apple iOS and  Android now.

No.2: Tower Bridge Family Trail Booklet

There’s also a new Family Trail booklet for those who like old-school paper-based fun!

The booklet aims to entertain, encourage imaginative learning, and ensure everyone in the family has a modern day of fun and laughter.

  • Unearth amazing stories from the Bridge’s history as well as discover the way Tower Bridge functions.
  • Instructions to build your very own paper boat
  • Join in a game of eye-spy using the panoramic views of London from the high-level Walkways,

Ask one of the helpful hosts for your copy of the Family Trail booklet.

tower bridge glass walkway exit out

No.3: Free Family Activities Pass on a Tower Bridge Visit

Join us inside Tower Bridge for a Family Activity Day and you’ll receive a complimentary 6-month Family Activity Pass.

This pass allows you and your family FREE entry into Tower Bridge on any Family Activity Day within six months of your visit.

When you return, simply bring along your original ticket and your pass, which you’ll receive on your first visit, and a form of ID and you can enjoy family activities for free.

No.4: Autism Friendly Early Opening

Tower Bridge opens early on selected Saturdays for children with autism and other needs, as well as their siblings, families and carers.

Families are able to explore the Towers and Engine Rooms in a calm, relaxed atmosphere and also take part in a family craft activity if they wish.

Download the visual story to help prepare for your visit.

josefs fish and chips at tower bridge london

Best Fish and Chips Tower Bridge? 

Head over to the food outlets outside Tower of London and grab yourselves some hot chips, wrapped in faux newspaper, or fish and chips in a box.

Visit:

  • Josef’s Fish and Chips, or
  • Teds Fish and Chips.

They are next to one another.

A very touristy thing to do, but delicious all the same, and the kids will think it’s great!

tower bridge glass walkway stickers for kids

The Tower Bridge for Kids Sticker Book (2015)

On our visit, the kiosk lady handed both boys a Tower Bridge Exhibition Passport, and one set of stickers and explained to me that we should collect the rest of the sticker packs at locations further on.

(Three more sticker packs were necessary to complete the passport properly)

We were instructed to collect any sticker packs we missed along the way at the gift shop before we left.

image - tower-bridge-glass-walkway-passport-inside

This passport was designed to help children move from room to room, picking up a few handy facts about Tower Bridge to keep them engaged along the way.

This was the BEST family friendly activity book I’ve ever seen at any London attraction to date, and the boys looked at it for weeks afterwards. It’s a shame it’s no longer.

tower bridge with kids

THE INSIDE SCOOP: The Tower Bridge Tour

Correct at time of publication on Roam the Gnome. Please check with venue for updates. We apologise in advance if there have been any changes we are unaware of. All prices in British pounds, unless otherwise stated

Address: Tower Bridge Exhibition Experience, Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2UP, United Kingdom.
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7403 3761 (09:30 – 17:00 GMT Mon-Fri)
Website: Click here
Email (guest relations)[email protected]

When does Tower Bridge open?

Tour Bridge exhibition hours are:

  • All year: 09:30 – 17:00 (last admission)
  • Tower Bridge Exhibition is closed 24 – 26 December and open from 10:00 on 1 January.
  • Visitors are advised to allow additional time for validating their online booking, security checks and lift access up to the Walkways.
  • Entry into the glass walkways cannot be guaranteed for a specific time at peak times, or during bridge lifts.
  • Be sure to catch a BRIDGE LIFT.

Tower Bridge Walkway Tickets 

Tower Bridge London tickets cost:

  • £9.80 adults
  • £4.20 for children (ages 5 -15)
  • Seniors £6.80,
  • Children under 5 FREE!

All Tower Bridge tickets include entry to the glass floor. 

Tower Bridge discount tickets: Buy your Tower Bridge Experience tickets online here to save a few pennies on each ticket.

Can you buy a Tower Bridge voucher?  [email protected] to enquire.

Tower of London Crown Jewels

Where is Tower Bridge?

Tower Bridge is 5 minutes walk from the Tower of London, home to the Crown Jewels, and Traitors gate. The closest tube station to Tower Bridge is Tower Hill.

Tower Bridge entrance

The main entrance and ticket office for Tower Bridge is located at the North West Tower of the Bridge.

The entrance to the Victorian Engine Rooms is located on the south side of the Bridge at river level on Shad Thames.

Follow the painted blue line on the ground to connect the two parts of the attraction.

tower bridge selfie

How to get to London Tower Bridge Glass Walkway

London Eye to Tower Bridge is 22 minute by tube, or 23 minutes by City Cruises.

By Tube:

  • Tower Hill station can be accessed from the District and Circle lines to the north side of the Bridge.
  • London Bridge station is served by the Northern and Jubilee lines and brings you to the south bank of the River Thames. Tower Bridge is just a short walk away.

By Boat:  Riverboats stop at St Katherine Pier and Tower Pier on the north bank and at London Bridge City Pier on the south bank. The Tower Bridge Exhibition is a short walk away.

By Bus: The following bus routes will take you to Tower Bridge: 15, 42, 78,100, RV1.

By Train: Reach Tower Bridge Exhibition from either London Bridge, Fenchurch Street or Tower Gateway DLR Stations.

By Cycle: Cycle hire docking points are available at St Katherine Way on the north bank of the river and on Tooley Street and at One Tower Bridge on the south side of the river. It’s a few minutes walk from these cycle parking bays to Tower Bridge Exhibition.

By Car: We suggest visiting by public transport as it’s so hassle free, and more budget friendly.

Tower Bridge Car Park 

  • Tower Bridge does not have its’ own car parking. The nearest car park is Tower Hill Coach and Car Park situated at 50 Lower Thames Street, London, EC3R 6DP, situated next to the Tower of London.
  • Download the Parking information PDF here

Map of the Tower Bridge London

Toadstool Rating: 

A once in a lifetime experience.

tower bridge glass walkway reviews

Looking for More London Museums for Kids & Things to do in London?

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