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The Engine Rooms and Shop

Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2UP

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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

Getting Help and Assistance

  • To see accessibility information, including details of special opening and tours and guides which can be downloaded in advance a visual story to explain the route of the attraction and the experience please click here (new tab).
  • There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
  • There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
  • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include: Braille and large print.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • There are mobility aids available.
  • The mobility aids available include wheelchairs.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact any member of staff. The wheelchairs are freely available in the ticket office area, to the right of the lift.
  • There is a designated place of safety which can be used by people who may feel scared or at risk.
  • There are two small quiet rooms, off the stairs in in the North and South Towers.
    The rooms are accessed by steps only.
    Visitors will be given the key code to the rooms.
    Staff will provide an alternative space with level access if required.
  • Portable stools in two sizes are available in the North Tower ticket office, next to the first lift and on leaving the first lift for visitors to take around North Tower with them. Stools and wheelchairs are also available in the Engine Rooms.
  • All dogs, not just assistance dogs, are welcome in the exhibition. There are no restrictions on food and drink apart from nuts, which are not permitted.
  • Large print/high contrast and Braille/tactile versions of the guide book are freely available from the rack above the portable stools, to the left of the lift. British Sign Language tours of Tower Bridge and the Engine Rooms are organised for the last Saturday of the month. They are delivered by a Tower Bridge accredited guide and a BSL accredited interpreter. Booking and payment in advance is recommended to secure a place. Spare places will be sold on a first come, first served basis. To book, please contact [email protected] or telephone 0207 407 9191. You can find more information here - click here.
  • Tower Bridge hosts a Relaxed Opening on the third Saturday of every month for anyone who would like to explore the Bridge in a calm, tranquil atmosphere, including people with autism and other neurodiverse needs, as well as their siblings, families and carers. Places are limited and are booked as timed entry slot. For more information about the event please email [email protected] or telephone 020 7940 8397. The Visual Story can be viewed or downloaded before the visit to help guests to know what to expect. You can find more information here - click here.
  • Comments View
    • A sensory toolkit is available in 2 locations in the Bridge, and also in the Engine Rooms.
    • This includes a pop-up tent, ear defenders, a weighted blanket, tactile objects and cuddly toys.
    • The kits are freely available to anyone who may be feeling distressed or overwhelmed.
    • Please ask a member of staff for assistance.

Opening Hours and Admission Prices

Getting Here

  • By Road View
  • By Bus View
    • There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the venue.
    • Bus routes 42, 78 and RV1 cross Tower Bridge. The nearest stops are on the south side of the river, stops P and L, Tower Bridge City Hall.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest Railway Station is London Bridge.
    • Staff are available to assist with portable ramps from train to platform where required. There is level access from all platforms to street level by lift at this station. Routes in and out of this station may vary during the construction work (2017-18). There is a step-free route from the Tooley Street exit to Tower Bridge Road via Tooley Street and Queen Elizabeth Street.
  • By Underground View
    • The nearest underground station is London Bridge and Tower Hill.
    • At London Bridge Station (south of the river) there is level access by lift from train to street on the Jubilee Line services. There is no step-free access to the Northern Line services. Tower Hill station (north of the river) is served by District and Circle Line trains. There is a manual boarding ramp to board or leave the trains and a lift to street level.
    • For more information on step-free interchanges with other services please click here (opens new tab).
  • By DLR View
    • The nearest DLR station is Tower Gateway.
    • There is step-free access from train to street at all DLR stations. Tower Gateway DLR station is north of the bridge, about 500m (a 10 minute walk) from the North Tower.
  • Useful Links View

Parking

South Tower - Engine Room

Outside Access (Engine Rooms Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located from Shad Thames on the south bank, beneath the south side of Tower Bridge, facing west.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Engine Rooms and Shop'.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the opening is 168cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located either side of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located alongside the bridge, to the left as you face the entrance.
    • There is/are 2 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) has/have tactile paving at the top and bottom.
    • 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 both sides of 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 extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • Comments View
    • Because of the sloping ground the steps taper from 2 medium height steps at the handrails to one shallow step furthest away.
    • All steps are bypassed when approaching the entrance directly.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located immediately to the right after the Engine Rooms entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the Engine Rooms entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the reception point.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are no windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The counter is not placed in front of a plain background.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
    • The height of the reception counter is 90cm.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is not a lowered section of the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • The type of flooring in the reception area is vinyl.
  • Comments View
    • Tickets are checked at this desk.
    • Bag security checks may also be carried out.

Attraction / Exhibit

  • Entrance / Opening View
    • There are no doors, however there is an open width of 75cm+ for access to this area/attraction.
    • The entrance/opening is clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance/opening.
    • There is a slight permanent ramp, with no handrails, for access to the second exhibition space, after the boiler room.
  • Attraction / Exhibit View
    • There is not step-free level access throughout this area.
    • There is a slight slope across the entire floor area in the final part of the exhibition after the accumulators.
    • Clear directional signage is provided in this area.
    • The type of flooring in this area is tiles, stone and concrete.
    • There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are provided in some areas.
    • This area does play background music/sound.
    • There are resting/seating areas within this area.
    • Explanations for the exhibit(s) is/are in pictorial, information board and television/screen format.
    • There are some exhibits which start from the floor level.
    • There is a clearly marked shallow step up to get close to the chamber containing the accumulators.
    • The Boiler Room exhibit at the beginning has a higher room temperature than the rest of the exhibits. Where there are interactive displays, push buttons are within reach of wheelchair users. The video presentations which are projected onto a large screen have subtitles. There is some bench seating in the video viewing area and other areas of the exhibition.
    • There is a good colour contrast between some walls and the floor in this area.
    • The lighting levels in this area are varied.
  • Exit View
    • Visitors exit via a separate set of doors/opening.
    • The exit is clearly signed internally.
    • There is a single, automatic door with an opening width of 75cm+ when exiting this area/attraction.
    • The exit is ramped/sloped.
    • There is a steep permanent ramp, with no handrails, when exiting.
  • Comments View
    • Wheelchairs, portable folding stools and Braille/large print guide books are available for visitors to borrow, immediately after the exhibition entrance.
    • Visitors follow a set route around the exhibition which is guided by barriers and marked by numbers and arrows on the walls and floor.
    • The exhibition exit leads into the gift shop.
    • The exit ramp is short (approximately 2m long).
    • If necessary, it can be avoided by returning through the exhibition and leaving via the entrance.

Ramp(s) or Slope(s) (Engine Room Exhibition - Gift Shop)

  • There is a ramp/slope located at the end of the exhibition.
  • The ramp/slope is used to access to access the gift shop and exit.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are good.
  • Comments View
    • This is a short ramp (about 2m).
    • If necessary, it can be avoided by returning to the gift shop by the exhibition entrance.

Gift Shop

  • The gift shop is located at the end of the museum route.
  • There is an automatic barrier leading into the gift shop.
  • The barrier opens away from you and is 100cm wide.
  • There is step free access throughout the gift shop.
  • There is clear space between the aisles.
  • The payment counter is medium height, with a low section at the right hand end.
  • The low section has knee space beneath.
  • There is a fixed hearing loop at the first till point and a portable loop at the low section of the counter.
  • Both were tested and working (17.11.23).

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the reception.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the left, just before the steam pump area.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 170cm x 210cm (5ft 7in x 6ft 11in).
    • There is a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is not higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 100cm.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are available within this accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 79cm (2ft 7in).

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located just after the boilers, before the steam pump room.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the reception.
    • There is step-free access into the female and male toilet(s).
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet with wall-mounted grab rails is available.
    • There are horizontal grab rails on both sides of the seat and a vertical rail on the left.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • There is one male and one female toilet and an ambulant toilet cubicle which is shared.