London Bridges
This page provides information on the many fine bridges that span the River Thames in the inner London area. Starting from Tower Bridge at the eastern edge of the City to Westminster Bridge, alongside the Houses of Parliament, then further up river to the attractive Albert Suspension Bridge.
Tower Bridge
The twin Gothic stone towers of Tower Bridge are one of London's most iconic landmarks. Built in 1894, the bridge is built from a steel core covered with decorative stonework. The towers and engine rooms are open to the public and contain a fascinating museum that describes the history of the bridge, with diagrams, models and multimedia displays. The original lifting mechanism, once used to raised-up the roadway to allow tall ship through, can also be seen. The upper-level pedestrian footbridge can be reached by lift or steps, providing panoramic views across the river and the City.
The Tower Bridge Exhibition
Take the lift to the walkway hundreds of feet above the Thames and enjoy panoramic views out across London or descend into the engine room and see the original working bridge mechanism.
Opening times: all year, Apr-Sep 10am to 6.30pm, Oct-Mar 9,30am to 5.30pm - Admission Charge
Location: Tower Bridge Rd, London, SE1 2UP - Tel: 020 7940 3985 - Website
London Bridge
London Bridge stands very close the site of the first crossing of the Thames, built by the Romans circa 100 AD. The current three-arched, concrete bridge, was constructed in 1972.
Southwark Bridge
Steel arched bridge supported on stone piers.
Millennium Bridge
Steel suspension bridge, opened in 2000 to celebrate the Millennium. Designed to carry pedestrians between St Paul's Cathedral and the Tate Modern.
Blackfriars Bridge
Cast-iron road bridge built in 1869.
Waterloo Bridge
Five-arched road bridge, faced with white Portland stone. Built in 1945.
Hungerford Bridge
Built in 1864. Located near to Cleopatra's Needle and the Royal Festival Hall.
Westminster Bridge
Wide stone bridge built in 1862 by Thomas Page and Charles Barry. Located near to the Houses of Parliament, Victoria and Albert embankments and County Hall.
Lambeth Bridge
Built circa 1932 by Sir George Humphries. Links the City of Westminster with Lambeth.
Vauxhall Bridge
Brightly painted steel bridge, adorned with large bronze statues by Alfred Drury and Frederick Pomeroy. There are 8 female figures (four on each side) representing the Arts and Sciences.
Chelsea Bridge
Low span suspension bridge connecting Chelsea with Battersea. Originally constructed in 1934.
Albert Bridge
Distinctive Victorian iron-built suspension bridge supported by ornate columns. Built in 1873.
Other Bridges on the Thames
Queen Elizabeth II suspension bridge
The last bridge over the Thames before reaching the coast. Built in 1991, at Woolwich, to carry the clockwise carriageway of the M25 over the river. Traffic in the anti-clockwise direction uses the Dartford tunnel, which runs under the Thames.
Popular London Attractions
Battersea Zoo | Carlyle's House | Chelsea Physic Garden | National Army Museum | Bank of England Museum | Dr Johnson's House | Clock Museum | Museum of London | St Paul's | Tower Bridge | Tower of London | Wesley's House | Cutty Sark | Fan Museum | Gipsy Moth | Greenwich Park | National Maritime Museum | Royal Naval College | Royal Observatory | Baden-Powell Museum | Kensington Palace | Natural History Museum | Science Museum | Victoria & Albert Museum | London Aquarium | London Eye | Florence Nightingale Museum | Imperial War Museum | Lambeth Palace | Museum of Garden History | Clink Museum | Golden Hinde | HMS Belfast | London Dungeon | Shakespeare Globe | Tate Modern | Canary Wharf | Docklands Museum | Bell Foundry | British Museum | Jewish Museum | London Transport Museum | Madame Tussaud's | National Gallery | National Portrait Gallery | Pollock's Toy Museum | Sir John Soane's Museum | Apsley House | Buckingham Palace | Cabinet War Rooms | Downing Street | Horse Guards | Houses of Parliament | Tate Gallery | Westminster Abbey
London Boroughs
Camden, City of London, Chelsea, Fullum, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith, Islington, Kensington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, Westminster & West End
Select Another Region To Visit
Please note that the above information was accurate at the time this page was last updated. This information is subject to change at any time (opening times in particular), therefore if you plan on visiting any of the above attractions, please check the owner's website first or phone them for the latest details.