Tower Bridge
Nearest tube: Tower Hill
One of London's most famous landmarks is Tower Bridge. Spanning the Thames next to the Tower of London, it was designed by John Wolfe Barry and Horace Jones and was built between 1886 and 1894. The Bridge's most characteristic features are its 655m Gothic towers. These are linked by high level foot bridges that are encased in steel lattice-work, from where panoramic views of London can be seen. Large river vessels are able to pass under the bridge due to its two draw bridges that can be raised in 90 seconds.
Today the mechanics of the Bridge are operated electronically. The original steam-driven hydraulic machinery, however, can be viewed by visitors as part of an interactive exhibition that traces the history of the Bridge, together with the changing skylines which have surrounded the Bridge for over a hundred years.