Tower Bridge: the View from Inside

I am standing with two children 42 metres above the ground, overlooking the murky waters of the Thames and feeling safe as houses.

We’re at the Tower Bridge Exhibition, taking a look inside the monument that’s dominated the London skyline since 1894.

We accepted complimentary passes to check out the ‘World’s most famous Bridge’ and the babes couldn’t wait to climb up the famous structure.

It’s exciting enough being on the outer bridge at the North Tower entrance, but then we went inside and took the lift up and up and up. From the high-level walkways, it’s an amazing panoramic view across the city.

‘I can see the whole world!’ Ezra cried, nose against the glass.

You can gawp through the windows at surrounding attractions, such as HMS Belfast, then read about them on signboards around the exhibition.

There’s also a gallery of famous bridges around the world and currently a vintage photo exhibit of London in Black and White.

It’s a well laid-out exhibition that gives a fascinating insight into London’s history, including short films showing footage of the bridge’s design and construction.

There’s a toilet with baby-changing station and lift to each section, with helpful tour guides along the way.

Come out on the south side of the bridge and head towards the Victorian Engine Rooms, where you can marvel at the machinery and imagination once used to power the bridge.

This is probably the most kid-friendly part of the exhibition, with amazing interactive models of Tower Bridge complete with teeny tiny taxis, buses and pedestrians.

The babes could have spent hours pushing buttons and pulling levers to make the bridge lift and watch the ship steer through.

Here you can see the actual motorbike and costume of motorcross star Robbie Maddison and watch video of him literally flying across the open bridge in a 2009 record-breaking stunt.

Tower Bridge Exhibition is a fun-packed (and occasionally dizzying) family day out. The gift shop is a bit of a let-down, not much more than a London tourist trap.

But the kids were happy enough receiving a free Guy Fox ‘passport’ to collect stickers at various points around the exhibition.

We left the exhibition just after 5pm, in time to see Tower Bridge lit up at night. A truly stunning sight.

Tower Bridge Exhibition is open daily 9.30am-6pm (Oct-Mar) and 10am-6.30pm (Apr-Sep); adult £8/child 5-15 £3.40/under 5s free.