Tower Bridge is one of London’s most iconic landmarks, and visiting it should definitely be on your London itinerary. But if you’re wondering what else there is to do in the area, the answer is plenty! You can easily spend a full day exploring the area around Tower Bridge, so keep reading to discover the best spots that you won’t want to miss!
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Best Places to Go and Things to Do Around Tower Bridge
Table of Contents
- Walking Map
- Tower Bridge Tour
- Tower of London Tour
- St. Dunstan in the East
- The Shard
- Borough Market
- Sky Garden
- Leadenhall Market
- The Royal Exchange
- Host Cafe
- One New Change
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
Walking Map
All of the locations in this guide are within just a few miles of each other and are easy to reach on foot. We visited every spot in one full day, and I’m sharing the walking map I created to help you do the same. The route starts at Tower Bridge and ends at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Tower Bridge Tour
Most visitors snap a photo of the bridge and walk across it, but did you know you can actually go inside the towers of the bridge and even walk across a glass floor high above the River Thames?
When you book a tour of Tower Bridge, you’ll climb the stairs up the towers, see exhibits, take in the views from the top of the bridge, walk across the glass floor above the bridge, and visit the old Victorian Engine Rooms.
The tour also includes an audio guide, where we learned so many interesting facts about the bridge. Like, it took 8 years and £1 million to build Tower Bridge. It was completed in 1894 and has been in continuous operation for over 130 years.
The bridge was originally painted brown, but was repainted in battleship gray as camouflage before WWII. It was repainted to the current red, white, and blue in 1977 for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.
We also learned about the six divers who played a crucial role in the construction of the bridge. They hired the best divers in the country to help with the dangerous task of preparing the riverbed for the construction of the piers.
Tower Bridge is a bascule bridge, similar to a draw bridge, that lifts open to let large ships pass. It’s so cool to watch it in action, so be sure to check the Bridge Lift Schedule. The record is 64 bridge lifts in one day!
Timed ticket reservations must be made in advance. Admission is included with the London Pass, but you will still need to book your reservation. Even with a reservation, we still had to wait in line for about 10 minutes, so plan to arrive a little early. Check the Tower Bridge website for updated visitor information.
Tower of London Tour
Just across the river from Tower Bridge sits the Tower of London, a thousand-year-old fortress packed with history. I was honestly surprised by how massive the complex is, you could easily spend at least a few hours here.
Over the centuries, the Tower of London has served as a fortress, a medieval castle and royal residence, a prison, a public execution site, an armory, a menagerie, and the royal mint & treasury.
The medieval corridors are filled with a treasure trove of historic artifacts and stories. In order to make the most of your time there, an audio guide is available for an additional fee. We didn’t do the audio guide, but I wish we had!
What you shouldn’t skip is the included guided tour. The tours are led by Yeoman Warders, the ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London, whose history dates back to 1485. You’ll learn about the tower’s fascinating history and hear some interesting stories.
The tours run every 45 minutes, starting at 10 am Tuesday through Saturday, and 10:45 am Sunday and Monday. You don’t need to make reservations in advance, just meet at the Bell Tower near the main entrance at the appointed time.
The guided tour lasts about an hour and covers major sites like the Bloody Tower, Traitors’ Gate, and the White Tower. The tour only takes you around the exterior of the buildings, but afterward you’re free to explore the interiors on your own.
One of my favorite stops was the Beauchamp Tower. I was fascinated by the 16th-century graffiti carved by prisoners into the walls. It’s as if the walls of the tower could literally talk, and I could have spent hours reading each of their stories and seeing the marks they left behind.
Some of the tower’s most infamous prisoners include Elizabeth I, Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, Lady Jane Grey, Sir Walter Raleigh, Guy Fawkes, and even Hitler’s deputy, Rudolf Hess.
Many of the prisoners met their final fate here. In the basement of the White Tower, you can actually see the original executioner’s block and axe that were used in the beheadings of Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, Lady Jane Grey, and many others.
For something a little less dark, head to the Crown Jewels exhibit. It’s incredible to see so many priceless crowns, jewels, robes, and other centuries-old royal regalia. Photos and videos are not allowed inside the Crown Jewels exhibit.
Admission is included with the London Pass, or check the Tower of London website for updated ticket prices and visitor information.
St. Dunstan in the East
Visiting St. Dunstan in the East is like stumbling across a secret garden hidden in the heart of London.
This medieval church was nearly demolished during the London Blitz in WWII, with only the tower, steeple, and a few exterior walls remaining.
Instead of tearing it down, the city used the shell of the church to create the most beautiful public garden.
You’ll find moss-covered walls, and vines growing through the stone arches where delicate stained glass windows once stood. It is a hauntingly beautiful reminder that beauty can come from brokenness.
St. Dunstan in the East is free to visit, and it’s one of my favorite spots in the city to escape the crowds and enjoy the peaceful serenity.
The Shard
The Shard is a 72-story modern skyscraper that pierces the London skyline and stands in contrast to the surrounding historic buildings.
The building itself is a work of art, but it also houses offices, a hotel, private residences, and restaurants. Its most popular feature is “The View from The Shard” observation deck. You’ll find an indoor viewing area on floors 68 and 69, and a partially open-air Skydeck on the 72nd floor.
This is the highest observation deck in all of London and the UK, and it offers unparalleled views of the city.
Golden hour and sunset are the best times to visit. See The Shard website for updated hours and ticket prices.
Borough Market
London is known for its food markets, but Borough Market is one of the largest, oldest, and arguably the best food market in London!
You’ll find over 100 stalls tucked underneath the train tracks at London Bridge Station. The air is filled with the sound of sizzling food carts, rumbling trains, and the hum of tourists and locals milling about.
The air is also filled with the scent of mouthwatering dishes from around the world. You’re going to want to try one of everything, so come hungry!
If you need help narrowing it down, our favorites include The Black Pig, Humble Crumble, Kappacasein Dairy, Bread Ahead Bakery, and Turnips.
See our guide 5 Foods You HAVE to Try at Borough Market for our top recommendations!
Sky Garden
Sky Garden is not only the highest public garden in London, but it also boasts one of the best free observation decks in the city.
It’s like a giant greenhouse filled with lush tropical plants surrounded by incredible views of the city.
The outdoor observation deck is located on the 35th floor with unobstructed views over the River Thames. You’ll be able to spot famous landmarks, like Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, The Shard, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
In addition to the outdoor observation deck, the entire Sky Garden is surrounded by glass, so you can see a complete panoramic view of the city as you walk around.
One of the best things about visiting the Sky Garden is that admission is free. However, timed reservations are required, and the tickets are in high demand.
Tickets are released 3 weeks in advance every Monday at 10 am, and they go fast! If you aren’t able to snag tickets, don’t worry, there is another option! You can book reservations at one of the restaurants or bars, and admission to the Sky Garden is included.
We booked a table at Darwin Brasserie, and the food was actually pretty good! If you’re budget-conscious, I recommend booking the last available time slot for the a la carte menu. This way, you’ll be able to be there for golden hour and sunset, but you don’t have to pay for the pricier set dinner menu.
You can arrive anytime before your reservation to wander around, and you can stay as long as you would like after your meal.
I recommend arriving at least 15 minutes in advance since you’ll need to wait in line for the elevator. Another advantage of booking a table is that there is a much shorter line for the elevator. The line for the general timed tickets was wrapped around the building when we arrived, but we only had to wait a few minutes.
If you don’t get tickets, another option is to visit the nearby viewing deck at The Garden at 120. This 15th-floor rooftop garden and observation deck are free to visit, and reserved timed tickets are not required. However, there is usually a long line for the elevator.
One last option nearby is Horizon 22, London’s highest free public observation deck. Although it is free, timed tickets are also required to visit this 58th-floor viewing platform. Tickets are released every Monday at 10 am, 2 weeks in advance, and they book up quickly.
Leadenhall Market
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, Leadenhall Market might look familiar to you. This Victorian-era covered market was the filming location for the exterior of Diagon Alley in several of the movies.
This is also where you’ll find the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron, which is now the 2i’s Coffee Shop located at 42 Bull’s Head Passage.
Even if you aren’t a Harry Potter fan, Leadenhall Market is still worth a visit. Not only is Leadenhall Market considered one of the most beautiful markets in London, but it also has a rich history. It began as a meat market in the heart of Roman London back in 1321, and there has been a market of sorts at this exact spot ever since.
The current Victorian-style structure was built in 1881, and the architectural details are stunning. You can even see the original wrought iron hooks on some of the storefronts where shopkeepers would hang produce over 140 years ago!
The Royal Exchange
The original Royal Exchange was established on this site in 1566 as London’s first stock exchange. It was destroyed in the Great Fire of London and rebuilt, only to burn down again.
The current Royal Exchange was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome and was built in 1844.
Today, it stands as one of the most beautiful luxury shopping malls in London, filled with high-end retailers and restaurants.
The main reason I wanted to visit the Royal Exchange was to experience afternoon tea at Engel and Jang. Having afternoon tea is such a quintessential English experience, and I can’t think of a better place to enjoy it than in one of London’s most elegant historic buildings.
You can indulge in a spread of handmade scones, fruit tarts, and open sandwiches while overlooking the mezzanine underneath the soaring glass atrium.
Host Cafe
What if I told you there is a coffee shop in London that’s hidden inside a 17th-century Gothic church?
You’ll find just that at Host Cafe! It is located inside St. Mary Aldermary Church, and it is one of the most beautiful and unique coffee shops in London.
Come for the views and ambiance, then stay for the delicious food!
We ordered focaccia sandwiches and hot chocolate, and it was one of my favorite meals of our trip. The sandwich was filled with fresh and flavorful ingredients, and the focaccia bread was light and chewy on the inside and perfectly crisp on the outside.
The hot chocolate was made with hot cream poured over squares of rich dark chocolate. It was heavenly! No pun intended.
After you order, you can actually sit in the pews to enjoy your lunch. It was such a unique and memorable meal.
It’s walk-in only, and keep in mind the café is closed on weekends for church services. Check the Host Cafe website for updated hours of operation.
Host Cafe is one of our favorite places to go in the city on a chilly fall day. See our guide, The Best Places to Go in London This Fall, for more recommendations.
One New Change
One New Change is another popular retail mall in London, but we weren’t here for the shopping!
One of London’s best-kept secrets can be found at this mall. If you go to the entrance off New Change Rd, you’ll find a glass elevator that offers a unique view of St. Paul’s Cathedral as you ride to the top.
Once you get to the 6th floor, you’ll find a rooftop terrace with the best view of St. Paul’s Cathedral. The terrace is free to visit, and generally isn’t very crowded.
The terrace is open daily from 6 am until midnight, which is perfect if you want to capture sunrise or sunset. You can also enjoy dinner with a view at the Madison London rooftop restaurant and bar.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic buildings in London. The current building was completed in 1710 and stood as the tallest building in London for over 250 years.
When we stepped foot inside the building, I was awestruck by both the scale and architectural details. It’s hard to fathom how they could build a cathedral of this size and stature with the limited machinery that was available in the early 1700s.
Not only is the building an architectural wonder, but it is also rich in history. It has hosted countless national and royal events over the centuries, including the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana.
Admission is included with the London Pass, or you can book tickets in advance on the website. You can also purchase tickets at the door, but there is usually a long line during the busy season.
Guided tours and multimedia tours are included with admission, as well as access to the crypt and dome climb.
After taking in the details of the nave and Cathedral floor, I recommend starting your visit in the basement crypt, then working your way up to the top.
St. Paul’s crypt is one of the largest in Europe, with over 300 tombs. It is the final resting place for prominent figures like Admiral Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, Florence Nightingale, Alexander Fleming, and Winston Churchill.
Famed architect Christopher Wren is also buried here. It is a very fitting tribute, considering he designed the cathedral and nearly 100 other buildings in London.
After visiting the crypt, make your way up the narrow staircase to the Whisper Gallery, a narrow circular catwalk at the base of the dome.
It is named the Whisper Gallery for its unique acoustics. If you stand on one side of the dome and whisper, someone standing on the opposite side of the dome will be able to hear it. Photos and videos aren’t allowed in the Whisper Gallery to prevent phones from getting dropped on visitors below.
Next, continue up the stairs to the Stone Gallery, where you’ll find an outdoor observation deck with incredible 360° views of the city.
But don’t stop there! Keep going up a narrow spiral staircase until you reach the Golden Gallery at the top of the 365-foot-high dome.
You’ll only have a few minutes to take in the view, since the small viewing platform can accommodate only a limited number of people at a time. So have your camera ready, because the view is spectacular!
You’ll be climbing a total of 528 narrow steps from the cathedral floor to the Golden Gallery, so it does take some effort, but it is worth it for one of the best views in London!
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide will help you discover some of the most popular tourist spots and hidden gems around Tower Bridge. It is a lot to fit into one day, so plan to get an early start!
You may need to adjust the order of these stops depending on meal times and whether you want to catch sunset from one of the observation decks.
We stayed at The Dixon, a Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel, just a few blocks from Tower Bridge. The hotel is beautiful, well-priced for the area, and conveniently located near everything mentioned in this guide. It was the perfect home base for our London adventures!
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