Discover out all about about visiting Tower Bridge in London, in addition to suggestions for different nice locations to go to with a Nationwide Lottery Days Out voucher.
Regardless of being a Londoner, it’s taken me some time to get to the entire metropolis’s main sights. I spent my early twenties as a London tour information, sharing the historical past of a few of the capital’s most well-known websites. But, I didn’t go inside lots of them! In truth, I used to be 28 years previous after I first stepped foot contained in the Tower of London. Shockingly I nonetheless haven’t ventured inside St Paul’s Cathedral, regardless of trying up at its stunning dome a whole bunch of instances.
Then there’s Tower Bridge – London’s prettiest and most well-known river crossing. I’ve walked over it a whole bunch of instances, taken quite a few snaps of it on sunny days, wintery days, snowy days, at sundown and even seen its bascules open for tall ships. However have I ever visited Tower Bridge’s walkways or stepped contained in the Victorian engine rooms? No… nicely not till now!
I’ll inform you one factor… it was positively definitely worth the wait!
Each time I see Tower Bridge, I can’t fairly imagine how superb it’s. It actually does appear like one thing from a fairy-tale. I like the way it’s at all times a hive of exercise too, as vacationers snap selfies by it, double decker buses cross over it, whereas passenger boats zoom below it.
Nationwide Lottery Days Out
There’s an effective way to go to sights resembling Tower Bridge proper now. Simply buy a Nationwide Lottery Lotto ticket and also you’ll get the possibility to say £25 off a whole bunch of prime days out throughout the UK. You could find out all concerning the superb sights collaborating on the VisitBritain Shop.
I’ve had a very good look and there are many superior choices proper throughout the UK, together with Stonehenge, Cardiff Citadel, London, Edinburgh and Belfast Zoos, Zip World, Windsor Citadel, The Eden Mission and The London Eye.
All you must do is pop your 19-digit Lotto quantity into the website and also you’ll obtain your voucher code. If tickets are below £25 then you definately’ll mainly get to go to a terrific attraction without spending a dime – how superb is that?
Many people have spent the final two years cooped up, nevertheless it’s lastly time to start out experiencing what the UK presents once more. It’s additionally value remembering that tourism has had a tough trip, so it’s beautiful that we will assist companies which have suffered. It’s even higher while you’re saving cash on the identical time too!
I’m going to start out by telling you a little bit extra about my go to to Tower Bridge, then I’ll provide you with some suggestions for a number of of the opposite nice locations to go to on a National Lottery Day Out.
Click here to find out more about National Lottery Days Out
Why go to Tower Bridge?
This go to made me realise that there’s a lot extra to Tower Bridge than you see on billboards promoting the town! Sure, it’s spectacular, nevertheless it’s additionally acquired an unbelievable historical past and is an extremely subtle feat of engineering. If you go to Tower Bridge, you get to study extra about its ingenious design and building, tales from over time in addition to the way it suits into London life right this moment.
What are you able to see at Tower Bridge?
Many well-liked sights have needed to adapt over the previous few years. Usually, I’ve discovered this to be a very good factor as typically you may have timed tickets (which means locations aren’t so crowded) and there’s a one-way system so you may peruse safely with out contact with others.
That is the case at Tower Bridge the place you guide a timed ticket after which comply with a one-way route by means of the attraction.
You begin by climbing the North Tower, then stroll throughout the long-lasting walkways (with the glass flooring!) earlier than taking place by means of the South Tower. Then you definitely wander alongside the bridge to the Victorian Engine Rooms.
I acquired fairly emotional strolling alongside the glass walkways. I had a second of reflection as I gazed out, taking within the views of boats cruising down the River Thames, the historic Tower of London and the fashionable London skyscrapers. It made me take into consideration my love for London, the way it actually does really feel like residence, and the way fortunate I’m to have the ability to discover a metropolis like this. Perhaps I’m getting soppier as I grow old, nevertheless it actually did really feel so particular!
What’s the historical past of Tower Bridge?
I realized a lot as I explored the bridge’s inside. A whopping 1,000 staff helped to construct the bridge over 8 years between 1886 and 1894. I couldn’t imagine it after I learn that chief architect Sir Horace Jones died only one yr into the bridge’s building. Apparently, he solely noticed the foundations of his bridge – simply think about by no means seeing the completed end result! How devastating.
I couldn’t fairly imagine that again in 1894 the bridge employed 80 individuals to keep up and open the bridge, whereas right this moment it’s only a small group of 12. It’s additionally superb to assume that the bascules have been raised 20-30 instances a day again then, whereas as of late it’ll solely be round that per week, on a busy week in the summertime!
It was additionally attention-grabbing to study concerning the opening of the bridge on thirtieth June 1894. In fact, this was an enormous event, so the Royal Household have been out in pressure. The Prince and Princess of Wales formally opened the bridge and paraded throughout the bridge in carriages.
The massive second got here when the bascules (the shifting parts of the bridge) have been formally opened for the primary time. The Prince pulled the lever, and twelve steam-boats handed beneath. What an incredible day that will need to have been!
What are the highlights of a go to to Tower Bridge?
I actually cherished this expertise! I simply discovered it fascinating to learn all of the tales of the bridge all through historical past and the individuals who made it what it’s right this moment. The spotlight was strolling alongside the glass part of the walkways. Buses and taxis handed beneath my ft. I couldn’t resist mendacity down and snapping some comedy pictures there too!
One other spotlight was seeing contained in the engine rooms. Two of the previous steam engines are nonetheless there, in beautiful shiny inexperienced paint. They’re issues of magnificence, identical to a classic steam prepare!
The bridge wasn’t scheduled to elevate on the day I visited, however the dates and instances are listed here. I’ve seen the bascules raised earlier than and it’s a really particular sight!
How a lot are tickets for Tower Bridge?
For the time being, an grownup ticket prices £10.60 and a baby ticket (age 5-15) prices £5.30. There’s a terrific worth household ticket obtainable for £18, which works for 2 adults and as much as 4 kids. Clearly, you could possibly go free when you’re utilizing your £25 voucher as a part of the National Lottery Days Out promotion.
What are the opening instances at Tower Bridge?
The expertise is open from 9.30am to 6pm every day, with the final admission at 5pm.
What else is there to do close to Tower Bridge?
In the event you fancy an entire time out in London, I’d suggest combining a visit to Tower Bridge with a go to to the Tower of London. It’s moments away and is such a captivating place to discover. I’ll inform you a little bit extra about my expertise in a second.
In the event you’re searching for a vibrant spot for a espresso or lunch, I’d counsel visiting St Katherine’s Docks. This beautiful marina is a couple of minutes’ stroll from Tower Bridge and is residence to plenty of cafes and eating places. In the event you’re eager on pasta, you merely have to go to Emilia’s. This small Italian restaurant serves indulgent carbonaras, tasty pappardelle ragu and oozing burratas! I used to be in heaven!
Inform me about different Nationwide Lottery Days Out
As talked about, Tower Bridge is only one of a whole bunch of sights collaborating within the Nationwide Lottery Days Out promotion. You possibly can take a look at the entire superb choices here on the VisitBritain Shop, and revel in nice financial savings throughout the UK.
In the event you’re searching for strategies inside England, listed here are a number of of my favourites on the listing.
The Tower of London
In the event you’re considering of visiting Tower Bridge, then how about combining it with a visit to The Tower of London subsequent door? This historic fortress dates all the best way again to 1066, and has had many makes use of over time together with being a royal fortress, a jail, a zoo and naturally, a spot for gory executions. Lately it’s the place you may see the spectacular Crown Jewels.
We visited after visiting Tower Bridge and I assumed it was simply unbelievable. The very fact you may wander historic corridors that date again over 1,000 years simply blows my thoughts. One of many highlights was the guided tour led by a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater!) He was filled with fascinating tales from over time, and was actually proud to name this his residence. It was additionally enjoyable to identify the well-known ravens. My recommendation – keep nicely again. These beaks look fairly harmful! If you wish to discover out extra about visiting, learn this helpful Tower of London guide.
The London Eye
I’m a little bit biased on this advice, as I spun round on London’s iconic wheel a whole bunch of instances after I was a London tour information. Nonetheless, this is without doubt one of the quintessential experiences within the capital and it actually does provide sensational views. It’s superb to assume again to the Millennium when it was assembled as a ‘temporary’ construction. Fortunately the town fell in love with it and it’s right here to remain!
One rotation on The London Eye takes round 30-minutes, and on a transparent day you may see all the best way to Windsor Citadel. You’ll additionally get pleasure from superb views of the River Thames, the Homes of Parliament, the Royal Parks and the town’s skyscapers.
Stonehenge
I’ve solely seen Stonehenge briefly as I drove previous, however I’d like to go on a Nationwide Lottery Day Out to discover it correctly. It’s essentially the most well-known prehistoric monument in Europe, with a historical past courting again round 4,500 years. I’d like to wander the long-lasting stone circle and see the way it feels to face on floor that’s so iconic and but nonetheless misunderstood.
Windsor Citadel
Courting again to the time of William the Conqueror, Windsor Citadel is an unbelievable place to go to, and a straightforward day journey from London. Wandering the grounds of the place that British kings and queens have lived for over 1,000 years is an incredible expertise. I cherished strolling inside St. George’s Chapel, the place the place Harry and Meghan tied the knot a number of years in the past. Simply think about being of their footwear in such an impressive place – wow!
The Eden Mission
In the event you’re craving a tropical getaway however don’t fancy getting on a flight, how about exploring the tropical domes at The Eden Mission in Cornwall? Step inside and also you’ll really feel such as you’ve been transported to an unique rainforest. After exploring the steamy jungles, trying out plenty of wildlife alongside the best way, head as much as the cover walkway to see above the treetops.
I feel this can be a good possibility for households seeking to redeem their National Lottery Days Out voucher within the southwest of England. Children and grown-ups alike will love studying extra concerning the crops and timber, in addition to zooming alongside England’s longest zipwire.
I hope you’ve loved listening to all about my journey to Tower Bridge in addition to discovering out about different National Lottery Days Out. There are many nice choices everywhere in the nation, so remember to have a look at the place you could possibly go to close to you. Please word the provide is because of finish in March 2022.
Click here to find out more about National Lottery Days Out
An enormous due to Go to England for inviting me to be part of this marketing campaign. As at all times, all opinions are my very own. Click here for more inspiration on planning your subsequent metropolis break inside England.
