Tower Bridge and The Monument

• Tower Bridge celebrates Christmas with its first ever interactive family experience
• Arthur’s Christmas sees visitors venture back in time to bring festive cheer to Arthur Gaunt, one of the Bridge’s engineers who has to work over Christmas
• Families will solve clues to find gifts for Arthur hidden throughout the Bridge, helped by historic characters along the way, and finish by meeting Arthur in the Engine Rooms to wish him a Happy Christma
• Arthur’s Christmas runs from 19 – 24 December 2020
• Tickets on sale Wednesday 2 December. Child (1-15 years) £20 | Adult (16 years +) £15
• Each event is limited to 20 people to ensure social distancing is adhered to.
• Pre-booking is essential at www.towerbridge.org.uk/christmas

Step back into Victorian London this December for a chance to explore Tower Bridge on a very special family Christmas adventure. Hosted exclusively through Saturday 19 December until Christmas Eve, London’s defining landmark will open its doors for an interactive tour that sees families help bring some festive cheer Christmas for lonely Arthur Gaunt. 

Arthur’s Christmas follows the story of Bridge engineer Arthur who has to work over Christmas. This year his friends Duffy the chef and Alice the engineer, invite families to surprise him with some festive cheer.

Over the course of 70 minutes, families will enjoy solving clues with the help of costumed characters to find gifts to give to Arthur, who is working in the Engine Rooms. Families will then visit the Engine Rooms to wish him a happy Christmas and see the magical Victorian Engines that once powered the Bridge.

Designed to delight and entertain all the family, this interactive tour will see professional actors expertly interweave stories from the history of the Bridge, to lead visitors through the world’s most famous river crossing. 

The three characters are inspired by real history, including Alice Perry, the first woman to graduate in engineering in the 1890s, and Victoria Drummond, a marine engineer. Intrepid present-hunters will follow the trail throughout the iconic landmark to not only discover the missing presents but learn more about Tower Bridge throughout the journey, beginning in the North Tour, journeying up into the Glass Walkways, and ending in the historic Victorian Engine Rooms. 

Ideal for all families but especially kids aged 6-12, tickets for the event cost £20 for children (1-15 years), £15 for adults (16 years+). Visit www.towerbridge.org.uk/christmas for further information.

 

-ENDS-

  

Notes to Editors:

 

Tower Bridge (http://www.towerbridge.org.uk/)

 #InsideTowerBridge

• Tower Bridge was the creation of architect Sir Horace Jones and civil engineer Sir John Wolfe Barry. It took eight years to complete and was officially opened on 30 June 1894 by the Prince and Princess of Wales (the future King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra)
• In 1982 Tower Bridge opened to the public for the first time since 1910 with a permanent exhibition inside. Since then, visitor number have grown annually with approx. 850,000 visiting in 2019, which was the 125^th anniversary since the opening back in 1894.
• Tower Bridge opening hours vary so please check the website for the latest update.
• The Tower Bridge Community Ticket invites residents of Southwark, Tower Hamlets and the City of London to visit for £1 only.
• Standard Entry prices for Tower Bridge:
• Adults: £10.60
  • Children aged 5-15: £5.30
  • Concessions: £7.90
  • Family tickets from £18.00
  • Under 5s free
•  The nearest underground stations are London Bridge or Tower Hill
• Visit the iconic Glass Floor on the high-level Walkways, which gives visitors a unique perspective of London 42 metres above the Thames. Visitors are able to tread on the glass floor panels whilst traffic passes beneath their feet. It can withstand the weight equivalent to one elephant or two London Black Cabs.
• Tower Bridge has been a Family Arts Standards holder since early 2020. We pledge to provide a high-quality offer for families, including facilities and programming. Family activity days take place on the 3rd Saturday of the month and on Tuesdays during school holidays. Activities run from 10am until 4pm, are free with admission.
• Family Trail (App or Booklet): You can download the app or pick up an Explorer Trail booklet when you arrive. Both are designed for families to work together to unearth amazing stories from the Bridge's history. From instructions on how to build your very own paper boat to a game of eye-spy using the panoramic views of London from the high-level Walkways.
• Family activities online Families can have fun at home exploring our online resources. Learn how to make a stop motion animation film, discover the language of semaphore or just enjoy some relaxing colouring in, there are activities suitable for all!
• Tower Bridge is London’s defining landmark and is a proud supporter of the City Bridge Trust, generating over £6m a year, which goes towards helping charitable causes across London.
• Tower Bridge is one of only 20 UK visitor attractions to receive the Visit England Gold Attractions Accolade in both 2018 and 2019. The accolade recognises quality visitor experiences on offer and is awarded to attractions that go the extra mile to provide a high-quality day out.
• The City Corporation, which owns and manages Tower Bridge, is the fourth largest funder of heritage and cultural activities in the UK and invests over £100m every year. The City of London Corporation is a core partner of Culture Mile, a home for contemporary culture in the ancient heart of London’s working capital. https://www.culturemile.london/
• The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

 

- ENDS ALL -