Monday, November 10, 2014

The glass walkway gives visitors a never-before-seen look at London life from one of the world’s most famous bridges

Must have a head for heights! London's Tower Bridge unveils £1m glass walkway 140ft above River Thames ... costing just £9 to visit

 

  • London's newest tourist attraction provides a bird's eye view from one of the world's most famous bridges 
  • The £1m glass platform stretches across the bridge's high-level walkways - 140ft above the Thames 
  • It is the most significant change to the Tower Bridge Exhibition since it opened in 1982
  • The west walkway floor opened on Monday and the east walkway opening is set for December 1
  • Providing a never-before-seen view of London life, the glass floor panels weigh over 1,000 pounds each 

These are the dizzying sights from London’s newest tourist attraction, which gives visitors a bird’s eye view from one of the world’s most famous bridges.

The 120-year-old, Grade 1 listed Tower Bridge has unveiled a £1m glass platform that stretches across its high-level walkways – nearly 140ft above the River Thames.

While testing visitors’ nerves the floor offers a spectacular view of the bridge lifts and is the most significant change to the Tower Bride Exhibition since it opened in 1982. 

Walking on air: A visitor crosses Tower Bridge's new £1m glass walkway after it was unveiled on Monday
Walking on air: A visitor crosses Tower Bridge's new £1m glass walkway after it was unveiled on Monday
Do look down: The view of the River Thames, pedestrians and vehicles from high above
Do look down: The view of the River Thames, pedestrians and vehicles from high above
Bird's eye view: The glass walkway gives visitors a never-before-seen look at London life from one of the world’s most famous bridges
Bird's eye view: The glass walkway gives visitors a never-before-seen look at London life from one of the world’s most famous bridges
Long way down: The glass floor panels weigh over 1,000 pounds each and required a 20-strong team to install
Long way down: The glass floor panels weigh over 1,000 pounds each and required a 20-strong team to install
Up high: The glass platform stretches across Tower Bridge Exhibition's high-level walkways – nearly 140ft above the River Thames
Up high: The glass platform stretches across Tower Bridge Exhibition's high-level walkways – nearly 140ft above the River Thames
Nerves of steel: Tower Bridge Exhibition attracts 600,000 visitors a year and the glass walkway is expected to boost those numbers
Nerves of steel: Tower Bridge Exhibition attracts 600,000 visitors a year and the glass walkway is expected to boost those numbers
Never-before-seen views: A boat passes under Tower Bridge's new glass floor after it was unveiled on Monday
Never-before-seen views: A boat passes under Tower Bridge's new glass floor after it was unveiled on Monday
At 36ft long and 6ft wide, the west walkway floor opened on Monday and the east walkway opening is set for December 1.
Providing a never-before-seen view of London life, the glass floor panels weigh over 1,000 pounds each and are so large and heavy that a 20-strong team was needed to install them.
From high above visitors can watch the buzz of activity below as buses and pedestrians cross the historic bridge, boats sail under it and bascules are raised beneath their feet.

Are you brave enough? While testing visitors’ nerves the glass floor offers a spectacular view of the bridge lifts
Are you brave enough? While testing visitors’ nerves the glass floor offers a spectacular view of the bridge lifts
New attraction: The glass walkway is the most significant change to the Tower Bridge Exhibition since it opened in 1982
New attraction: The glass walkway is the most significant change to the Tower Bridge Exhibition since it opened in 1982
Buzz of activity: The west walkway floor opened on Monday and the east walkway opening is set for December 1
Buzz of activity: The west walkway floor opened on Monday and the east walkway opening is set for December 1
Spectacular: From high above visitors have a spectacular vantage point as bascules are raised beneath their feet
Spectacular: From high above visitors have a spectacular vantage point as bascules are raised beneath their feet
Floating: The view from the roadside looking up to the new glass floor 138ft above the River Thames
Floating: The view from the roadside looking up to the new glass floor 138ft above the River Thames
Feeling squeamish? Journalists capture the view from the newly-installed glass floor at the Tower Bridge Exhibition 
Feeling squeamish? Journalists capture the view from the newly-installed glass floor at the Tower Bridge Exhibition 
Hello down there: Visitors can watch buses and pedestrians cross the historic bridge as boats sail under it
Hello down there: Visitors can watch buses and pedestrians cross the historic bridge as boats sail under it
London icon: Tower Bridge stretches across the River Thames and is a favourite attraction for tourists to the city
London icon: Tower Bridge stretches across the River Thames and is a favourite attraction for tourists to the city

Tower Bridge Exhibition attracts about 600,000 visitors a year and the installation, provided by the City of London Corporation, is expected to lead to an increase in visitor numbers.
Taking eight years to construct, Tower Bridge was officially opened in 1894 by the Prince and Princess of Wales (the future King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra).
The price of admission is £9 for adults, £3.90 for children (aged five to 15), £6.30 for students and £6.30 for seniors (over 60), although family, group and online discounts are available.

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