Things to do near Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is one of the most iconic and recognisable landmarks in the city of London and one that any tourist to the city would surely want to spend a few hours. Whether you’re looking for fun, food, or photo ops, you’ll be bound to find something to do.

As an Essex resident, if I’m on my way into London, Fenchurch Street station is my stop. Sometimes it’s nice to not have to travel too far, so we make the effort to enjoy the area. Here are my recommendations for things you can do!

Attractions

Tower Bridge

If you’re in London to see Tower Bridge, you might as well go on the bridge. Yes, of course you can walk the length of the bridge, but you can actually walk along the glass walkway at the top of the bridge, offering incredible views of The Thames. Another exciting feature of the bridge is the engine room, where you can see the mechanism that causes the bridge to open. At a little over £11 per adult, it’s not cheap, but it’s not the most expensive activity to do at all.

Tower of London

Next door to the bridge is the 11th century Tower of London. Home to Beefeaters, Traitor’s Gate, the Crown Jewels, and the prison cell of Queen Elizabeth I, the Tower is iconic. It’s a history buff’s dream, a treasure trove of ancient objects and significant locations in England. There, you’ll find the location where three queens of England (Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, and Lady Jane Grey) were executed, and the reputed location where the nephews of Richard III were murdered, though never proven.

Entry is quite pricey at nearly £30 an adult, but the Tower is somewhere that anyone visiting London should visit. It’s always busy, but you can buy tickets from the offices opposite the castle rather than booking online.

Gunpowder Plot show

One of the newest things to do is the Gunpowder Plot show. With Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) playing Guy Fawkes, you enter an immersive performance as a Catholic in 1605. The show lasts about an hour and a half, with an interval and an opportunity to have a drink in a Jacobean style inn. I went with some friends in summer 2022, and would recommend to everyone!

HMS Belfast

On the south of the river is another of London’s iconic landmarks. She’s the first of the Royal Navy’s ships to be named after the capital of Northern Ireland, and is currently moored as a warship museum. She served in the Second World War and Korean War, and is now a fascinating insight into Royal Navy life of the mid 20th Century.

All Hallows by the Tower and Green spaces

On a warm, sunny day, you might want to enjoy the sights in the City of London without breaking the bank. There are quite a few green spaces nearby Tower Bridge, but there is also All Hallows by the Tower, the oldest church in the City of London – 300 years older than the Tower of London! Nearby is also St Dunstan in the East, a church which was severely damaged by the Great Fire of London, then again by bombing during the Second World War. It is now a ruin, but a truly beautiful ruin where you can sit and let the time pass by.

Jack the Ripper Museum

A short walk down Cable Street (yes, the Battle of Cable Street location) is the Jack the Ripper museum. It’s tricky to create a museum based mostly on hearsay and assumption, but it is done well, and is one of the more unusual museums in London. Split across five levels, you are show the extent of the poverty and deprivation in the Whitechapel area of London in the late Victorian period, as well as a collection of incredible artefacts – look out for the very whistle blown by the policeman who discovered one of the victim’s bodies.

Dinner or Drinks

St Katherine’s Dock

With lots of restaurants to try, St Katherine’s Dock is an excellent choice for those who aren’t sure what they want to eat! Those on a budget might opt for the –

Vicinity

Situated on but just outside St Katherine’s Dock, Vicinity is a great spot for afternoon tea. On a Sunday afternoon in mid-September, the restaurant was almost completely empty, and had an air of exclusivity as we were being brought out teas, coffees, and a stack of goodies.

Coppa Club

A lovely restaurant on the waterfront with bookable outdoor pods, I visited Coppa Club for lunch. I selected a bowl of pasta, but found that the portion size was a little small for my liking, and I was still hungry afterwards – it’s definitely a two course location!

Bodeans

It’s a chain restaurant, but one that’s worth visiting nonetheless. Bodeans is a smokehouse and BBQ restaurant, so if you are looking for somewhere to get the meat sweats, this is the place to be. There is also a kids menu here, so it might be the restaurant of choice if your explorations of the Tower Hill area are accompanied by children!

Hopefully now, I’ve given you a few ideas of things to do near Tower Bridge. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

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