Tower Bridge

London, England, United Kingdom

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Tower Bridge is an iconic Victorian landmark in London, England, that spans the River Thames and is often mistaken for London Bridge. Built between 1886 and 1894, this Grade I listed bridge combines a bascule (drawbridge) and suspension design, featuring two massive towers that rise 61 meters (200 feet) above the river. The bridge is 240 meters (800 feet) long and was constructed using 11,000 tons of steel clad in Cornish granite and Portland stone to blend aesthetically with the nearby Tower of London. Its central span can be raised approximately 800 times yearly to let ships pass, though it used to open more than 6,000 times annually in 1894 when shipping traffic was heavier. Originally painted dull brown, the bridge was repainted red, white, and blue for Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee in 1977 and later refreshed to its current blue and white colors. Visitors can walk across for free or pay to access the glass-floor walkways high between the towers and explore the Victorian engine rooms that once ran on steam power. Today, over 40,000 people cross it daily, and around 500,000 tourists visit each year, making it one of London's most famous and photographed landmarks.