Tower Bridge glass floor and the visitor route
The Tower Bridge glass floor gives you a view down towards the roadway as part of a wider visit inside the bridge. Your route begins in the North Tower, continues across both upper walkways and descends through the South Tower. Follow the Blue Line from there to the Victorian Engine Rooms. The ticketed interior is separate from the free pedestrian crossing at road level.
The glass panels were installed in 2014. You can spend time looking down and out across the river, then continue through the exhibition to the historic machinery. For the engineering behind the structure, see our architecture guide. For a practical overview of admission options, visit Tower Bridge tickets.
Choosing an interior ticket
Admission to the bridge covers the towers, walkways and Engine Rooms. Select the date and time that suit your plans and check the conditions of the ticket you choose. If you have a sightseeing pass, you must reserve a bridge visit. The pass guide explains that booking step alongside other attractions.
Allow roughly 60 to 90 minutes as a guide for the visit. Your pace can differ, particularly if you want to spend longer at the displays. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. A ticket for the bridge does not include the separate Tower of London merely because the two landmarks are close together.
Our pick: bridge admission
This ticket includes the bridge and engine rooms for an independent visit.
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Tower Bridge admission
Explore the walkways and historic Engine Rooms.
Across the upper walkways
Both walkways are part of the route, with views in different directions along the Thames. Look from the windows as well as through the glass panels for a sense of the relationship between the towers, roadway and river. You do not need to make the glass floor the entire focus of the visit: there is also the structure around you and the journey down to the machinery.
A bridge lift can sometimes be seen from the upper walkways if the timing happens to coincide with your visit. Lifts are arranged for ships and can change; admission does not guarantee one. If watching the opening is a priority, consult the calendar separately and use the advice in our bridge lift guide.
Down to the Engine Rooms
After descending through the South Tower, follow the Blue Line to the Engine Rooms. Part of this connection is outside, so keep your coat with you when the weather calls for it. The displays preserve historic pumps, accumulators and boilers. Steam-powered pumps operated the hydraulic system until 1976; the bridge still opens hydraulically, now using oil and electricity.
The machinery helps explain that this is a working crossing as well as a visitor attraction. Road traffic continues on the bridge apart from interruptions for lifts. Allow time after the upper level for the Engine Rooms rather than treating the glass floor as the end of the visit.
Lifts, luggage, toilets and photography
There are lifts in both towers to the upper walkways and an external lift on the south-east side between bridge and river levels for the Engine Rooms and shop. Lifts can be unavailable at short notice, so check their status before travelling if you rely on them and ask staff for current advice.
Bags may be no larger than 45 × 35 × 20 cm. Suitcases and wheeled bags are not permitted; plan what to do with larger luggage before arrival. Pushchairs and wheelchairs are permitted and are checked. Discuss any medical equipment with staff if you need advice.
Toilets, including accessible toilets, are available in the North Tower, South Tower and Engine Rooms during the visit. For a Changing Places facility, check the Tower of London or London Bridge station. Personal photography with a camera or phone is allowed inside without a tripod. Arrange commercial photography or filming in advance and respect other visitors when taking pictures.
When to arrive
Regular hours and the final admission time are in the opening hours guide. Your booking is tied to a date and time, and a bridge lift can delay entry. Leave room in the day for that possibility, especially if you also plan to visit another attraction.
Glass floor visit: questions and answers
Is the glass floor included in the interior visit?
Yes. It forms part of the upper walkways included with admission to Tower Bridge.
Can I visit the Engine Rooms too?
Yes. Follow the Blue Line after the South Tower. Part of the route is outdoors.
Can I bring a suitcase?
Suitcases and wheeled bags are not allowed. The maximum permitted bag dimensions are 45 × 35 × 20 cm.
Will I see a bridge lift?
It is possible if a lift coincides with your visit, but it is not guaranteed. Check the lift calendar separately.