Tower Bridge and The Monument

Tower Bridge launches new ‘Lives of a Landmark’ campaign on 1 October 2020 – 4 April 2021

The campaign challenges expectations to document the past, with the display of real-time history of the people that Tower Bridge inspires every day

Londoners and people across the globe alike are invited to contribute to the on-site exhibition opening Friday 16 October 2020, sharing their own tales of the landmark via #MyTowerBridge on social media 

Exhibition included with entry: www.towerbridge.org.uk/lives

LONDON 28 September 2020: The saying goes, “A place is only as good as the people you know in it. It’s the people that make the place*.” This sentiment inspires the brand new ‘Lives of a Landmark’ campaign from Tower Bridge, launching 1 October 2020 – 4 April 2021. 

With London’s defining landmark only 126 years old, the many staff, engineers and visitors today are a key part of its history. The new campaign will celebrate the lives of Tower Bridge today more prominently than ever before; piecing together the story of the people working behind the scenes at the historical bridge, and the visitors who walk its floors.

Tower Bridge wants you!

For a chance to feature in the Lives of a Landmark exhibition, Tower Bridge is launching an open call-out on 1 October to find out the public’s connections with the Bridge. Whether they’ve never been inside or it’s a place that simply inspires, embodies a feeling, or even reminds people of their favourite TV show or film; to those with fond memories of visiting with friends and family, or may have ancestors that worked there.

Stories with an image or video should be submitted via social media with the hashtag #MyTowerBridge, for an opportunity for them to be displayed on a digital screen in the Lives of a Landmark exhibition at Tower Bridge, alongside photography and stories from staff.  

All stories will also be in with a chance of winning two complimentary tickets to visit inside Tower Bridge every month throughout the exhibition run. 

Documenting today: Visiting Lives of a Landmark exhibition 

A photography exhibition capturing images of staff will go on display in the Engine Rooms at Tower Bridge from Friday 16 October 2020, by documentary photographer, Lucy Hunter.  

Lucy was commissioned in 2019 to celebrate the monumental 125-year anniversary of the Bridge; tasked with recording the modern life of Tower Bridge and some of the members of staff who worked there in its busiest year. A perfect trip for anybody who wants to know what it’s like to be the Head of Tower Bridge, or to open the great bascules to passing ships every day, can do so by discovering their stories. 

Chris Earlie, Head of Tower Bridge, said: “It’s incredible that despite standing as a symbol for our city, the history of London’s defining landmark is so young. Rather than sifting back through the history books, we have the privilege and opportunity to speak directly with the people that have their own stories to tell about the landmark today. 

“We can’t wait to see all the wonderful stories that people from all over the world will share with us via #MyTowerBridge.” 

Book your visit

A trip to Tower Bridge allows visitors to make their way up the iconic towers and through the high-level West Walkway while learning about workers of the past; before making their way into the Engine Rooms where Lives of a Landmark will go on display. Here, visitors can discover stories from the current staff who look after it today, and the visitors who come every year to see inside London’s defining landmark. They may even see their own stories displayed for all to see!

Opportunities to ‘ask the expert’ which will allow the public to speak in conversation with the workers at Tower Bridge, along with special family activities, are to be announced soon. 

For more details and to book, see: https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/lives 

 

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*Quote by Pittacus Lore

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 it 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.
  • Admission 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 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 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

 

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