Tower Bridge reveals its secrets with summer holidays ‘techie talks’

Tower Bridge is giving up its secrets from Thursday for anyone intrigued by how it works and what goes on behind the scenes.

Engine Rooms at Tower Bridge - Credit: Archant

The world’s most famous bridge is running a programme of ‘Techie Talks’ during the school summer holiday to explain the marvels of Victorian engineering.

Inside the 'secret' bascule chamber - Credit: Archant

Engineers are on hand in the atmospheric Engine Rooms on certain days to explain all the nuts and bolts of how the world’s best-loved bascule bridge works, included in the £12.50 family admission.

The iconic gateway ‘entrance to London’ recognised around the globe was the biggest and most advanced bascule bridge ever built.

It was the pride of Victorian engineering at the height of Empire and took eight years to construct, opening to an eagerly-awaiting nation in 1894.

Tower Bridge gets 400,000 tourists a year to its exhibition and hosts 25 marriages as well as events and parties.

Repairs and maintenance don’t cost London’s taxpayers a penny. Tower Bridge and four other Thames crossings, including the much-older London Bridge half-a-mile up-river, is paid for by the City Corporation’s Bridge Trust fund dating back 800 years.