Tower Bridge
OK, most visitors to London do know of Tower Bridge. Not many though realise that you can climb up to the walkways for great views of the City or go down below to see the engine rooms responsible for raising the bridge.
There are two connected walkways, one on the West side & the other on the East side.
The view to the North West
Some of the main office blocks have been given amusing names by Londoners. On the left of the above photo is the “Walkie-Talkie” (whose curved side has managed to focus the sun’s rays & damaged cars parked beneath it!). The tallest building in the central group is the “Cheese-grater“, almost obscuring the NatWest Tower (now Tower 42). The “Gherkin” is on the right.
View to the South West
The Shard dominates the southern skyline with City Hall leaning to the left and HMS Belfast moored permanently on the Thames as a floating museum.
You also have a great view of the main White Tower within the Tower of London complex from the Walkway.
The Original Engine Room
One of the original engines used to lift the bridge is housed nearby. An engineer’s delight! Below, is the giant 100-ton Accumulators stored the power produced by the engines so that the bascules could be raised smoothly.
