Tower Bridge and Engine Rooms: Conditions of Entry
Access
- All visitors entering Tower Bridge and the Engine Rooms agree to abide by these Conditions of Entry.
- These Conditions of Entry provide for the safety, wellbeing and security of our staff, visitors, function guests and the Bridge itself.
- There is no public right of entry into and through the attraction of Tower Bridge.
- Please be aware that these Conditions of Entry refer to the attraction called Tower Bridge and the separate building called the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms and Gift Shop. The Conditions do not refer to the external parts of the Bridge (including the fabric of the Bridge, the street and the pavement) and public right of way itself. These areas are subject to their own regulations and byelaws and reference should be made to the relevant body. These external bodies include but may not be limited to Transport for London, The Greater London Authority, the City of London Corporation, the London Borough of Southwark and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
Access facilities
- Tower Bridge aims to make access as inclusive and welcoming as possible. There are a range of facilities to help you enjoy your visit.
- While we aim to be as aware and responsive to different needs and as inclusive as possible, please inform us if we can do better to meet your needs.
- Please be aware that we are a Victorian bridge so there are limitations on the accessibility of the Bridge.
- Please visit our Access for All page for full details:
Zero tolerance
- Tower Bridge is a place of safety, and we show respect for everyone who works here, visits, or attends a function here.
- We want to be clear what you can expect from everyone who is part of the Tower Bridge Team and our expectations of you.
- At Tower Bridge we do not tolerate Racism, Sexism, Ageism, Homophobia, Transphobia, Ableism, or any other form of discrimination, aggression whether verbal or physical, insults or threats, or intimidating behaviour.
- All violent, threatening or abusive behaviour, including discrimination based on any protected characteristic, will be addressed by staff with appropriate measures taken.
- Actions may include any of request to refrain, the removal of an individual and their party from the site without financial recompense, or the matter being reported to the City of London Police.
Inclusivity
- The City Bridge Foundation owns and maintains Tower Bridge. We are committed to being a truly inclusive, anti-racist organisation.
- We are proud of our diversity, equity and inclusion programme, and value our diverse workforce, which reflects the London we serve, and the visitors we welcome.
- Tower Bridge is a safe space for everyone who works here, and all our visitors.
- Everyone has a right to visit or work at the Bridge without fear of abuse, aggression or demeaning or patronising behaviour towards them.
- We will be conscious of neurodiversity and cultural factors to make sure we are inclusive where people may be differently able to meet our expectations.
Admission
- We warmly welcome you to Tower Bridge and wish you a safe and enjoyable visit.
- Tower Bridge’s website carries an extensive range of information for visitors.
- There is a charge for entry to the visitor attraction inside Tower Bridge. Please see the current admission prices:
- Visitors may enter Tower Bridge to attend a function or an event as an invited guest where a charge is not payable. Separate access arrangements will be made with the event organiser.
- Additional Terms and Conditions are in place for ticket purchase and use. These apply to all ticket holders, regardless of the channel through which they make their purchase:
Opening hours
- Tower Bridge regular hours are open daily from 09:30-18:00 (with the last entry being at 17:00)
- Tower Bridge is closed 24-26 December and opens at 10:00 on 1 January.
- On the second Saturday of every month, between 09:30 and 11:30, entry to Tower Bridge is reserved for Relaxed Opening attendees.
- At times it may be necessary, for example in the interests of security, staff or public safety, for us to alter Tower Bridge’s opening hours or close all or specific areas of Tower Bridge at any time, and without prior notice. We may have to direct you to leave by certain routes or prevent you from leaving by certain routes.
Bag search and entry to the attraction
- All bags are checked on arrival so please allow extra time for security checks.
- When asked, you must allow our security officers to search your bags when you enter Tower Bridge and/or the Engine Rooms.
- Tower Bridge reserves the right to confiscate any items it classes as illegal. Illegal items include but are not limited to: knives with a blade of more than 3 inches; CS, pepper or any other incapacitant spray; firearms; tasers; imitation firearms, deactivated firearms and air rifles.
- Tower Bridge reserves the right to confiscate any items that it classes as prohibited or discretionary. Visitors may reclaim these items at the end of their visit.
- Prohibited items include but are not limited to climbing or abseiling equipment; banners or placards; large quantities of accelerant; fireworks or other types of explosives; knives with a folding blade 3 inches or less that do not lock; items which could be used to deface the building; alcohol intended to be consumed within the building; practical joke items including smoke bombs, stink bombs.
- The batteries from any e-bike, scooter or other rechargeable battery from large devices or vehicle may not be brought into the Bridge
- Discretionary items include but are not limited to folding pocket type knives and small fruit knives with a blade up to 3 inches that does not lock; karabiners and open bottles of alcohol.
- If we deem a visitor to be under the influence of drugs, alcohol or any illegal substances we reserve the right to refuse entry to Tower Bridge and the Engine Rooms.
- If we deem a visitor to be wearing or displaying items that we or other people may find offensive or may be discriminatory we reserve the right to refuse entry to Tower bridge and the Engine Rooms.
Consideration for other visitors
- Tower Bridge can become crowded at times. You are asked to be patient and considerate to other visitors.
- Some of our visitors may have additional needs and we ask everyone visiting Tower Bridge and the Engine Rooms to show them respect and consideration.
- You are asked to be considerate of other visitors, when making telephone and video calls while inside Tower Bridge and the Engine Rooms.
Staff
- Our staff are identifiable by their Tower Bridge identity passes and branded uniforms. They are authorised by Tower Bridge and require you to comply with these Conditions of Entry or any directions given by them.
- You must follow staff instructions in accordance with these Conditions of Entry. Our staff are here to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable visit.
- Our staff are authorised to intervene where necessary, for example, if our staff believe you are intoxicated or behaving antisocially; or that your conduct causes or is likely to cause risk, annoyance, or disturbance to other visitors, to our staff, or to Tower Bridge itself.
- If after our staff have spoken to you, you still choose to continue any behaviour deemed contrary to this policy then you may be refused admission to Tower Bridge and the Engine Rooms or you may be asked to leave and/or you may be escorted from Tower Bridge and the Engine Rooms.
- If you are asked to leave or are escorted from the building, you will not be given recompense for the admission paid on entry to Tower Bridge.
- Please be aware that we will not tolerate violence or abuse towards any member of our staff and that failure to cooperate with the lawful directions of our staff may put you at risk of committing a criminal offence. All violent, threatening or abusive behaviour will be reported immediately to the City of London Police.
Tour groups
- Tour groups (any group of 15 or more visiting Tower Bridge together) must book in advance using the groups booking section of the Tower Bridge website. Groups that have not booked cannot be accommodated.
- All tour group leaders should make themselves known when arriving at Tower Bridge, so tickets can be processed correctly and at the correct admission time.
- No person other than our authorised staff may sell services as tour guides, leaders or speakers anywhere within Tower Bridge and the Engine Rooms.
- Blue Badge Guides must carry their badge and identification at all times. When giving tours within Tower Bridge they should also follow these conditions of entry and ensure the compliance of their group.
Health and safety and the protection of Tower Bridge
- Visitors are primarily responsible for their own safety and for the safety of any accompanying visitors under the age of 16 and must adhere to the Tower Bridge health and safety procedures and guidelines at all times.
- In the interests of health and safety, you must not:
- a. smoke anywhere in Tower Bridge (and this extends to the use of electronic cigarettes and vaping products)
- b. sit on any stairs or block or obstruct entrances and fire doors in any way;
- c. leave any children in your care unattended, or allow them to behave antisocially;
- d. climb on any part of Tower Bridge, or the fabric of the building.
- e. disregard any safety signs or barriers put in place for public protection.
- f. cross barriers, cordons or protective spaces
- g. disregard fire alarms or any directions for the evacuation of Tower Bridge
- h. plug in any charger, electrical devices or other personal items to sockets, AV points or other equipment on the Bridge.
Fire alarms, evacuations and emergency situations
- If the fire system is activated, you must follow the instructions of the fire system voice announcements and of our staff and evacuate the premises.
- In the event of a fire evacuation, all visitors (including those in any toilets, quiet rooms and Gift Shop) must vacate immediately.
- You must not obstruct any exits or fire escape routes.
- In the event of a building lock-down (where a threat to the safety of staff and visitors is outside on Tower Bridge), you must follow the instructions of staff and voice announcements to keep safe inside the attraction and/or the Engine Rooms and Gift Shop.
- In the event of a fire or other evacuation we will endeavour to resolve the matter and readmit visitors as quickly as possible. Proof of the original ticket purchase will be required.
- In instances where readmission is not possible on the same day an alternative date will be offered or a refund may be permitted. Staff dealing with the situation will advise based on the individual circumstances.
Access to non-public areas
- If you are found by staff in a non-public or closed area without permission, you will be required to explain your presence and provide proof of identification. You may also be asked to leave or escorted from Tower Bridge premises.
Bags and luggage
- You must not bring into Tower Bridge any item of luggage which has a size greater than 45cm x 35cm x 20cm.
- We do not restrict the use of pushchairs or wheelchairs within Tower Bridge, but these items will also be subject to be searched.
- Suitcases, wheeled bags and oversize items will not be allowed on Tower Bridge premises.
- Where visitors need to bring medical equipment or supportive aids on site, that would be contrary to our luggage or prohibitive items policies this will ordinarily be permitted. We ask that you make this known to staff on arrival. If you are unsure whether any object will be permitted onsite please contact us before your visit.
Mobility scooters, wheelchairs, buggies, bicycles, skateboards and scooters
- Mobility scooters, wheelchairs and electric wheelchairs and access aids are welcome at Tower Bridge and the Engine Rooms.
- Wheelchairs are available at both the Ticket Office and Engine Rooms entrances to borrow for the duration of your visit.
- Baby buggies and oversized bags containing necessary medical equipment, or equipment for use in nursing and baby care, are allowed subject to you agreeing that these items may be inspected on entering the building.
- Bicycles (including folding bicycles), skateboards, adult scooters, e-bikes and e-scooters are not permitted inside Tower Bridge.
- You are not permitted to cycle or ride a scooter inside Tower Bridge
Unattended and lost property
- Please do not leave personal property unattended when visiting Tower Bridge.
- We reserve the right to have unattended property removed and/or destroyed without warning in the interests of safety and security.
- We do not accept liability for any lost items and/or unattended property that we remove or destroy.
- If it is handed in to us, we will store lost property for six weeks after which it will be given to charity or disposed of as appropriate according to our Lost Property Policy.
- Any items deemed perishable, dangerous or illicit will not be stored and will be disposed of as considered necessary.
Filming, photography, 3D imaging and audio recording
- You are permitted for personal use to use the following: handheld cameras (including phones) with flash and 3D imaging software, and audio and film recording equipment not requiring a stand.
- The use of tripods while inside the attraction is prohibited.
- You may use your photographs, scanned data, film and audio recordings only for your own private and non-commercial purposes, which include use in personal, non-commercial social media profiles, blogs and websites, provided no further commercial reuse of the content is permitted by the terms of use of the social media platform or website.
- Permission to carry out news, PR, commercial or promotional filming or photography should be sought, in the first instance, from the City of London Film Team.
- You must respect the privacy of other visitors while taking photographs, filming or making audio recordings in Tower Bridge and the Engine Rooms. If a visitor complains that your photography, filming or recording is intrusive you may be asked to stop or leave Tower Bridge.
- When news or commercial photography or other recording occurs, signs will be placed around Tower Bridge and the Engine Rooms to alert visitors. Visitors who do not wish to appear in any imagery should make themselves known to staff. For more information, please see our privacy policy.
More about filming at Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge as a Licensed Premises
- Tower Bridge holds a premises licence for regulated activities under the Licensing Act 2003, in accordance with which we will: refuse any person entry (or ask any person to leave), if our security officers believe that person to be intoxicated or behaving antisocially; and refuse to serve alcohol or to supply other services to any person who is intoxicated or behaving antisocially.
- At the end of evening events, you are asked to leave the premises quietly and with due consideration for our residential neighbours.
- At all times when licensable activity is taking place, we will ensure that suitable numbers of SIA and first aid trained personnel are on duty.
Food and drink
- Food and drink (except alcohol) can be consumed inside Tower Bridge and the Engine Rooms, however, do make sure that any rubbish is disposed of, and any spillages are reported to staff.
- No nuts should be consumed within Tower Bridge and the Engine Rooms, due to the possibility of allergic reactions by staff and visitors.
Animals
- Tower Bridge and the Engine Rooms is dog-friendly and welcomes well-behaved dogs. We ask that dogs are kept on a lead and that they are supervised at all times.
- We ask owners to make sure that they do not jump onto or sit on the furniture and that they do not put their paws up on furniture and walls to get a better look.
- Fouling must be cleared up and a member of staff informed to get additional cleaning undertaken.
- We do not have dog waste bins onsite, and all bags must be taken away and appropriately disposed of.
- Well behaved cats on leads or in carriers will be allowed at the discretion of the Duty Manager.
- We accept no responsibility for the behaviour of other visitors’ animals.
- Assistance dogs will be allowed in at all times.
Demonstrations
- Demonstrations, protests and the waving of banners is prohibited on and inside Tower Bridge and the Engine Rooms.
Closed circuit television
- You should be aware that we operate a secure, closed circuit television system (CCTV) throughout Tower Bridge and the Engine Rooms for the protection and safety of our visitors, staff and property.
- All data captured by CCTV is stored and managed in accordance with the City of London Data Protection Policy.
City of London Data Protection Policy
- By using CCTV we aim to:
- assist in the prevention and detection of crime
- facilitate the identification, apprehension and prosecution of offenders in relation to crime and public order
- aid public safety
- assist with the management of public highways
- assist senior staff with disciplinary procedures in cases of serious misconduct
Exclusion of liability
Tower Bridge accepts no liability for any accident, damage or injuries to visitors suffered in any way.
Visitors attend the attraction at their own risk.
Comments and feedback
We welcome enquiries, comments and feedback from visitors and members of the public. Please contact us via:
- email: enquiries@towerbridge.org.uk
- telephone: +44 (0)20 7403 3761
- or write to us: Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2UP.
Amendments
We recommend that you check our website for our latest visitor information before visiting including changes to entry times or additional restrictions.
We reserve the right to amend or update these conditions of entry from time to time and without notice.
