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Route from South Tower to the Engine Rooms

Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2UP

About this venue

Tower Bridge was built over 125 years ago to ease road traffic while maintaining river access to the busy Pool of London docks. Built with giant movable roadways that lift up for passing ships, it is to this day considered an engineering marvel and beyond being one of London’s favourite icons, it is arguably one of the most famous and instantly recognisable structures in the entire world. Learn more about the history of the Bridge: https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/discover/history Since 1982, visitors have been able to see inside Tower Bridge and discover the history of the Bridge and why it came into existence through fascinating exhibition content. Visitors can also experience the exciting new glass floor and spectacular panoramic views from the high-level Walkways as well as the Victorian Engine Rooms, which house the beautiful steam engines that once powered the bridge lifts. This must-see attraction is the only way to explore London's defining landmark

Access Guide

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Summary

Other Floors (South Tower Stairs - Standard Route)

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are walkway level down to the lower attraction level, then the street level on Tower Bridge Road.
    • There are 129 then 77 steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are varied.
  • Comments View
    • There is a similar staircase of 22 steps which runs parallel to the main staircase between the lower level and street level to access the male toilets only.

Exit (South Tower Stairs - Standard Route)

  • Exit View
    • This information is for the exit located at the base of the South Tower.
    • The exit is stepped.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this exit.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 100cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located after the doorway.
    • There is/are 13 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up the step(s).
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • Comments View
    • These doors are only be used to exit the Tower Bridge Attraction via the South Stairs.

Lift (South Tower - Accessible Route)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left in the South Tower Area as you enter from the East or West Walkways.
  • The lift is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the exit from the West Walkway.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • A member of staff is required to operate the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are South Tower walkway level, lower level and street level for Tower Bridge Road.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is low.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is High.
  • The clear door width is 115cm (3ft 9in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 145cm x 378cm (4ft 9in x 12ft 5in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are good.
  • Comments View
    • The lift is available to all visitors who prefer this route.
    • There is a member of staff always located in the lift to operate the controls, provide assistance and provide information about the Tower Bridge.

South Tower to Tower Bridge Road Lift

  • After exiting the South Tower lift turn right on the footpath and pass the South Tower stepped exit.
  • Continue ahead, following the footpath to Tower Bridge Road.
  • The surface of the path is tarmac, with blue railings on the right between the footpath and the road.
  • There is clear signage leading to the Engine Room.
  • There is also a blue line painted on the footpath all the way to the Engine Room.
  • After approximately 75m there is a path to the left which leads to the Tower Bridge - Shad Thames Lift.
  • There is clear signage on Tower Bridge Road indicating where the lift is located.
  • The blue line continues past the access to the lift to indicate the steps as an alternative to the lift.

Lift (Tower Bridge Road - Shad Thames)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located on Tower Bridge Road, on the south-east side of the bridge.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are Tower Bridge Road - Shad Thames.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do not contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is High.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 140cm x 160cm (4ft 7in x 5ft 3in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are good.
  • Comments View
    • The lift is not operated by the Tower Bridge Attraction. Therefore, if staff have been made aware that the lift is out of service, a map will be provided with details of an alternative step-free walking route to the Engine Rooms.

Step(s) (Tower Bridge Road - Shad Thames)

  • There is a/are step(s) located at the south-east end of Tower Bridge.
  • The step(s) is/are used to access Tower Bridge Road down to Shad Thames.
  • There is/are 15+ step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 16cm.
  • The going of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up the step(s).
  • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
  • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • Handrails are easy to grip.
  • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.

Shad Thames to Engine Rooms

  • After you exit the Tower Bridge Road - Shad Thames lift, turn right and follow the blue line under the bridge.
  • The entrance to the Engine Rooms is immediately to the left after the bridge arch.
  • There are large planters in this area.
  • The Engine Rooms is approximately 20m from the lift.
  • The surface of the path is stone slabs and block paving.
  • For information about the Engine Rooms please click here (opens in new tab).