<strong>Skyline staple:</strong> Tower Bridge has been a staple of London's skyline since the crossing opened in June 1894.
Skyline staple: Tower Bridge has been a staple of London's skyline since the crossing opened in June 1894.
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<strong>London's most iconic bridge:</strong> 125 years later, the bridge is a London landmark.
London's most iconic bridge: 125 years later, the bridge is a London landmark.
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<strong>Award-winning design</strong>: The impressive bridge was designed by city architect Horace Jones following a public competition.
Award-winning design: The impressive bridge was designed by city architect Horace Jones following a public competition.
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<strong>Striking look</strong>: The Gothic design also complements neighboring Tower of London.
Striking look: The Gothic design also complements neighboring Tower of London.
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<strong>Incredible views:</strong> Visitors to Tower Bridge can stroll along the walkways connecting the two towers, and admire the views of the formerly bustling port below.
Incredible views: Visitors to Tower Bridge can stroll along the walkways connecting the two towers, and admire the views of the formerly bustling port below.
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<strong>A different view: </strong>The view has changed significantly since Victorian times. "If you think back to the 1800s, all along here, this view would have been warehouses,"says Tower Bridge tour guide Rosie Haines. "The river would have been really busy, full of boats. There would have been 160 boats coming through this area every day."
A different view: The view has changed significantly since Victorian times. "If you think back to the 1800s, all along here, this view would have been warehouses,"says Tower Bridge tour guide Rosie Haines. "The river would have been really busy, full of boats. There would have been 160 boats coming through this area every day."
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<strong>Walking the night:</strong> Originally the walkways between the two towers were public, but they closed in 1910. The walkways reopened in the 1980s as an exhibition space.
Walking the night: Originally the walkways between the two towers were public, but they closed in 1910. The walkways reopened in the 1980s as an exhibition space.
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<strong>Multi-purpose space: </strong>This spectacular space is now used for weddings, yoga classes, television filming -- and even proposals: "Sometimes there might be rose petals everywhere, specific songs," says Haines. "It's really nice, it's quite sweet."
Multi-purpose space: This spectacular space is now used for weddings, yoga classes, television filming -- and even proposals: "Sometimes there might be rose petals everywhere, specific songs," says Haines. "It's really nice, it's quite sweet."
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<strong>Stopping traffic</strong>: When Tower Bridge first opened, there were 6,000 bridge lifts in the first year. Now, explains Haines, there's about 1,000 a year. "They used to just use a rope to stop traffic," she says. "Nowadays we have our own set of traffic lights and gates."
Stopping traffic: When Tower Bridge first opened, there were 6,000 bridge lifts in the first year. Now, explains Haines, there's about 1,000 a year. "They used to just use a rope to stop traffic," she says. "Nowadays we have our own set of traffic lights and gates."
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<strong>Bygone London: </strong>The views to the West might be the more iconic, but the views from the East Walkway are more representative of the London of days gone by. "This view is great for giving you an example of warehouses," says Haines. Many of the old warehouses have been converted into coveted riverside flats.
Bygone London: The views to the West might be the more iconic, but the views from the East Walkway are more representative of the London of days gone by. "This view is great for giving you an example of warehouses," says Haines. Many of the old warehouses have been converted into coveted riverside flats.
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<strong>Avoiding scandal:</strong> "The steel holds the bridge up. The brickwork on top is a like a cladding to protect it from weathering," says Haines. There was another reason for clothing the bridge in brick: "Horace Jones, when he was designing the bridge, felt that if he left the steelwork exposed, it would look like a Victorian lady in her corsets and it would be quite scandalous," Haines adds.
Avoiding scandal: "The steel holds the bridge up. The brickwork on top is a like a cladding to protect it from weathering," says Haines. There was another reason for clothing the bridge in brick: "Horace Jones, when he was designing the bridge, felt that if he left the steelwork exposed, it would look like a Victorian lady in her corsets and it would be quite scandalous," Haines adds.
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<strong>Bricks and stone:</strong> Looking at Tower Bridge close up offers a wealth of detail, including recreations of the crest of St Paul, London's patron saint. "There's 31 million bricks in total across the whole bridge, and then on top of that you have the Portland stone, and that's been engraved and etched and designed," says Haines.
Bricks and stone: Looking at Tower Bridge close up offers a wealth of detail, including recreations of the crest of St Paul, London's patron saint. "There's 31 million bricks in total across the whole bridge, and then on top of that you have the Portland stone, and that's been engraved and etched and designed," says Haines.
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<strong>Family ties:</strong> On the south side of the Bridge is the "Walk of Fame" -- a series of plaques commemorating some of the people who worked on the bridge over the years, including Hannah Griggs. Griggs was the first woman who worked on Tower Bridge.
Family ties: On the south side of the Bridge is the "Walk of Fame" -- a series of plaques commemorating some of the people who worked on the bridge over the years, including Hannah Griggs. Griggs was the first woman who worked on Tower Bridge.
Courtesy Francesca Street/CNN
<strong>Engineering marvel:</strong> Tower Bridge now lifts its bascules using electricity -- but from 1874 to 1976 it was operated using steam and hydraulic power. Visitors to Tower Bridge can peak inside the Engine Rooms, to learn how this feat of engineering was pulled off.
Engineering marvel: Tower Bridge now lifts its bascules using electricity -- but from 1874 to 1976 it was operated using steam and hydraulic power. Visitors to Tower Bridge can peak inside the Engine Rooms, to learn how this feat of engineering was pulled off.
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<strong>Good working condition:</strong> The green steam engines were hand-painted and remain in good condition. "A lot of care is still taken for the engine rooms, even though it's not used anymore," says Haines. "Theoretically if you were to plug everything in it would still work."
Good working condition: The green steam engines were hand-painted and remain in good condition. "A lot of care is still taken for the engine rooms, even though it's not used anymore," says Haines. "Theoretically if you were to plug everything in it would still work."
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<strong>Royal treatment: </strong>Today, a full bridge lift takes about 4.5 minutes. Lifting the bascules actually takes slightly longer using electricity versus steam power -- but it is more economically friendly. "The bridge will never open fully, so it only ever goes to 87 degrees, and we call that a royal salute. So it's only for the Queen. They did do it for Winston Churchill's funeral as well," says Haines.
Royal treatment: Today, a full bridge lift takes about 4.5 minutes. Lifting the bascules actually takes slightly longer using electricity versus steam power -- but it is more economically friendly. "The bridge will never open fully, so it only ever goes to 87 degrees, and we call that a royal salute. So it's only for the Queen. They did do it for Winston Churchill's funeral as well," says Haines.
Courtesy Francesca Street/CNN