Tower Bridge is inviting visitors to experience London’s defining landmark like never before, as its exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Tours return for a limited time only, this year with in-person British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted tour options.
Tickets for the first release – tours taking place in November and December – go on sale this month.
Perfect for curious explorers, these expert-led tours offer a rare chance to go beyond the standard visitor route and delve into the Bridge’s inner workings, including access to areas usually closed to the public, such as the cavernous Bascule Chambers beneath the Thames, which allow for the movement of the huge counterweights used during Bridge Lifts.
These limited-edition tours run on selected dates between November and March and sell out quickly every year due to high demand. This year’s tours are also Tower Bridge’s most inclusive to date, featuring the first-ever BSL-interpreted Behind-the-Scenes Tours, available on selected dates.
Chris Earlie, director of Tower Bridge, said: “These tours are an incredible opportunity to see the Bridge from the inside out; from the thrilling machinery that powers it, to the stories of the people behind its construction.
Making this unique experience accessible isn’t easy due to the operational nature of the working Bridge but with the introduction of BSL interpretation, we hope to provide a more inclusive offer. Continuing to increase accessibility to such a historic icon reflects our commitment to removing barriers and creating unforgettable experiences for all our visitors.”
Martin Fox-Roberts, BSL interpreter, added: “Tower Bridge is such a powerful symbol, not just of history and engineering but of London itself. Collaborating with the team and further opening that experience up to Deaf people is incredibly meaningful.
So many Deaf visitors miss out on the richness of historic places because information isn’t presented in a way they can fully engage with. Tower Bridge continues to develop its offer and with this latest BSL-interpreted tour continues to set a benchmark for other attractions to follow suit.”
Tower Bridge continues to enhance its accessibility across the whole visitor attraction, with a new BSL self-guided experience available to all visitors, delivered via Smartify, plus the introduction of ‘Quieter Time’ offering more times to experience the Bridge in a calmer environment. These sessions build on the Bridge’s existing Relaxed Openings and are designed for visitors who feel more comfortable in a less stimulating environment, including neurodivergent people, those living with dementia or sight impairment and their companions.
These are in addition to the option to experience a Guided Tour with BSL, led by an expert guide and an accredited British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter, and Deaf-led Guided Tours with John Wilson, an experienced Deaf guide – both available on selected dates.
While the Behind-the-Scenes Tours offer something truly unique, every visit to Tower Bridge delivers a memorable experience: from walking on the Glass Floors suspended 42 metres above the Thames and stunning skyline views from the High-level Walkways to stepping back in time in the atmospheric Victorian Engine Rooms.
Tickets for Tower Bridge’s Behind-the-Scenes Tours cost £80 per adult and £72.50 per child, with disabled adult tickets available at £75 per person. The November and December tour tickets go on sale this month, with January to March tour tickets released later this year. BSL-interpreted Behind-the-Scenes Tours will take place January-March, dates to be confirmed.
