Tower Bridge, London

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Yes, many people confuses between these two. Though they are very close to each other but they are not the same. Tower bridge is for both vehicles and pedestrians while the London bridge is only for walking..

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It is each time a pleasure for me to see again the emblematic bridge of London. This time the metallic structures had been repainted in blue, white and some touches of red.
Best views on Tower Bridge are from the wharf alongside the South Wall of the Tower of London.

This year, sitting on the balcony of the Dickens Inn, I saw the bridge go open to let pass the tall ship Stavros S Niarchos. This is a brig, a two mast square rigged school ship (photo 3). The (apprentice) sailors were standing on the sail yards. Quite spectacular for the public and the young sailors.
After that the tall ship moored alongside the HMS Belfast.

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Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, England, over the River Thames.

This bridge was officially open on 1894.

The Tower Bridge is still very much a historical bridge that is still in use to this day. When we were there, the traffic was stopped and bridge close in order to raise the deck for a passing yacht. After the yacht had passed, the bridge deck was lowered and open to traffic.

It is, probably, more economical to replace it with a new bridge or demolish it altogether but because of it's historical value, the bridge is now one of the favourite tourist destination.

This ergonomically-crafted ampitheatre beneath the GLA building at the heartbeat of London (at it's best) has managed to change my opinion of the city and is a perfect place to spend a Friday night or quite equally, a Wednesday afternoon.

Last Friday I visited The Scoop for the second time. One year ago there was just as good an atmosphere. This summer, the space is enhanced by a photographic exhibition themed around local customs undertaken by different cultures all around the world so this strikes a chord with most of it's visitors and you can wander between stands at your will. The photographs have a sort of Lonely Planet feel and are very educational around places near and far.

The Scoop has a large array of events all throughout the summer season. This July, bands play there several times a week and from August there will be live theatre every day. From September you can watch films in the space, which holds around 800 people according to the website.

Last summer I watched 'Toad of Toad Hall', a family friendly theatre production based on the Kenneth Grahame book. It was an excellent production benefiting from surrounding. This year I've so far taken in some live music, The All Stars Collective, who last Friday evening played for a stunning two-and-a-half hours and come the climax, erradicated the need to do anything else at all with my Friday night. The beauty of The Scoop is that it's free, welcoming and sociable. This, for London, (in London, with Londoners) is unusual. I wasn't sure what to make of a funk/jazz/soul ensemble. I'm pretty comfortable with my Marvin Gaye albums and a quiet night in ... yes, the quality of the performers is always top draw. Within half and hour there were large groups of people stood, dancing, obstructing your view so, that after a short warm-up the whole place was virtually on it's feet. The atmosphere was so eventful that commuters and suits were stopping at the top, looking down into the stage to see what all the fuss was about. Everywhere people swap glances, stories, food, even partners!

One tip, take your own food and booze. You can take it what you like and leave when you want, but if it's an easy, low key, spontaneous and cultural kinda night then go along and see what's going on. Worth a glance even if you're not expecting much. And you may just end up staying all night.

I shall definitely be back fro another scoop if not before, next month!

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We combined three activities in one when we went to the Tower Bridge. We waited here for a Thames River cruise in one of those observation boats, viewed the Bridge, and gazed at the Tower itself. All of this started in an area vastly changed from when I was first there. There is a large area devoted to fish and chips and other touristy items. This can be one crowded place, but it also has a lot to offer. Endure and enjoy.

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Crossing the River Thames is the Tower Bridge. The TB is a combined Bascule and suspension bridge and one of the most recognizable landmarks in London. It contains 11,000 tons of steel, and sophisticated engineering raises its middle portion to allow tall ships through. The bridge opens around 500 times a year, taking about 90 seconds to open fully.

We took a short walk (1/2 mile including the approaches) across the bridge to the Tower of London side. Nice views up and down the Thames. Only odd thing was the cables and upper walkway being a really bright color blue!

The structure contains the Tower Bridge Experience, an exhibit detailing the history of the bridge and explaining how the mechanisms work. (April - September 10:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., November - March 9:30 - 6:00 p.m. Tower Bridge Exhibition is closed 24 - 26 December and open from 12.00 on the 1 January.)

It is said that the views from the high walkways on the Catwalk are magnificent, but I was a little nervous about doing that!

Admission for Exhibition:

Adults £8.00

Children (aged 5-15) £3.40

Discounts for seniors, students, families.

Admission for the Exhibition and Monument (http://www.themonument.info/):

Adults £9.00

Children (aged 5-15) £4.00

Discounts for seniors and students.

Prices valid until 31 March 2012. Children aged 15 years or under must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets may be purchased on the day of visit or in advance on the website listed below.

Please note that all visitor information is correct as of this update.

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The Tower Bridge is one of the most striking bridges of the world, you have seen it on pictures before!
Now you got to come and see it for real. The blue white colour, the towers, the location make it worth wile. More information you find on the webside or within the contribution of others.
It is still spectacular if traffic stops and if it is opening for a large ship passing through.

Everyone has seen pictures of Tower Bridge, so the real challenge is to get a picture of it that is different to the post cards. This shot was taken from St Katherines Dock, the "other side" compared to most stock shots of Tower bridge.