How it was built reveals the design and engineering spirit of the age.

The Tower Bridge Experience is living history. You'll find display and working models that tell stories and explain its engineering achievements.

Much of the original structure and machinery is still there to see and touch.

1910 - the high-level walkways, which were designed so that the public could still cross the bridge when it was raised, were closed down due to lack of use. Most people preferred to wait at the bottom and watch the bascules rise up!

1912 - during an emergency, Frank McClean had to fly between the bascules and the high-level walkways in his Short biplane, to avoid an accident.

1952 - a London bus had to leap from one bascule to the other when the bridge began to rise with the bus still on it.

1977 - Tower Bridge was painted red, white and blue to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee. (Before that, it was painted a chocolate brown colour).

1982 - Tower Bridge opened to the public for the first time since 1910, with a permanent exhibition inside called The Tower Bridge Experience.