Tower Bridge and The Monument

• London’s defining landmark announces plans to reopen on Monday 17 May to the public and their four-legged friends.
• Tower Bridge reveals summer programme packed with activities for great days out for families and history enthusiasts alike. 
• Locals can visit for just £1 by purchasing the Community Ticket for residents of Southwark, Tower Hamlets and the City of London. 
• Tickets are now on sale for visits from 17 May: www.towerbridge.org.uk/ 

After the longest period of closure since Tower Bridge opened its doors to the public over 125 years ago, London’s defining landmark announces plans to reopen on Monday 17 May.

As London’s only major dog friendly attraction, visitors can bring their four-legged friends along to stretch their legs on the high-level Walkway and take in the view through the Glass Floor, 42m above the River Thames. 

Chris Earlie, Head of Tower Bridge, said: “We can’t wait to welcome both locals and visitors from across the UK to Tower Bridge once more, to offer an escape from the routine we have become so used to. We are excited to reopen with a packed itinerary of guided tours, activities, and family events running well into the summer, to provide our visitors with a fantastic experience of iconic London history. 

THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT TOWER BRIDGE THIS SPRING/SUMMER 2021:

All dogs allowed!

VIPooch Day – Sunday 13 June

• Every day is dog-friendly at Tower Bridge but for one day only, London’s only major dog friendly attraction is giving canines the pedigree treatment. Dogs (and their owners) will be given exclusive access to the East Walkway and Glass Floor across the day with the first 50 dogs receiving a Free VIPooch treat bags (worth £20) – kindly donated by Pets Pyjamas. 

Fun filled events for all the family

Designed to ensure a fun and safe trip, Tower Bridge will host the following creative activities included in the price of admission:

• Half Term - Tower Bridge Drawing Challenge: Kids can test their knowledge of Tower Bridge and take on their family members in a drawing challenge. When: Tuesday 1 June, 10am – 4pm
• Semaphore: Before walkie talkies were invented, Tower Bridge staff communicated with the boats on the river using semaphore. Families can make their own semaphore flags and learning a new way of communicating. When: Saturday 19 June, 10am – 4pm.

A moment of calm 

• For anyone who would like to explore the Bridge in a calm, tranquil atmosphere, including people with autism and any other needs, as well as their siblings, families and carers.
• Visitors are able to explore the Bridge and Family Trail with reduced capacity, no loud soundscapes or videos, and sensory items on hand to help to assist anyone who may be overwhelmed due to the new environment.
• When: Relaxed Opening takes place on the third Saturday of every month. Upcoming dates: Saturday 19 June, Saturday 17 July. Time: 10:30, 10:50 and 11:10am.

Ask an Expert

• For curious minds, the perfect opportunity to delve deep into Tower Bridge’s history, with experts are on hand to answer questions in the Engine Rooms.
• When: Drop in between 1:15pm and 2pm on selected days during the summer. See website for details. 

Expert Guided Tours

• Intimate guided tours take visitors through the iconic Towers, Walkway and the Victorian Engine Rooms, led by an expert on all things Tower Bridge to bring the iconic structure to life and share stories behind the Bridge’s history and the people that built it. 
• Tour sizes are limited to six people to ensure the best, COVID-safe visitor experience. 
• When: Tours take place every Saturday at 3pm and Sunday at 11am. On the last Saturday of every month, Tower Bridge runs a Guided Tour with a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter. 

How to visit

To visit, simply pre-book to guarantee visit time – with standard tickets from £10.60 for adults and £5.30 for children. Family tickets start from £18.00

Online tickets are on sale now, to book visits from 17 May 2021: https://bit.ly/3t0kzi1

All reopening dates are subject to review, based on the current schedule for the UK Government’s roadmap out of the national lockdown.

 

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Notes to Editors:

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

 #InsideTowerBridge

Safety measures

The attraction has received Visit Britain’s ‘We’re Good To Go’ Standard, to reassure visitors that they can experience a great British holiday this summer safely, with clear processes in place that adhere to government and public health guidance.

In addition to timed ticketing and a one-way visitor route to manage visitor flow, Tower Bridge has installed a raft of new measures to ensure visitor safety, published on the Tower Bridge website and also available as a downloadable PDF to help visitors plan their visit. 

 

Further information 

• 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’s opening hours are usually 09:30 – 18:00 with last entry at 17:00. However, we recommend that you always 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 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

 

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