London’s most famous bridge is set to become a playground of scientific discovery this March, as Tower Bridge prepares to open its historic engine rooms to curious minds during British Science Week.
On Saturday, 8 March, families will have the opportunity to step back in time and explore the remarkable technological marvel that has powered one of London’s most iconic landmarks for over a century. The free drop-in sessions, running from 10am to 4pm, promise an immersive journey into the world of Victorian engineering and modern scientific innovation.
Visitors will dive into a world of hands-on activities that bring the bridge’s mechanical history to life. From generating electricity using nothing more than body heat to constructing model bridges that test the limits of engineering design, the day offers something for budding scientists of all ages.
The event highlights the bridge’s extraordinary technological evolution. Once requiring a team of 80 workers to maintain its complex machinery, Tower Bridge would raise its massive bascules up to 30 times daily when first constructed. Today, those same engines tell a story of technological transformation, having transitioned from steam power to electricity in 1976.
“We’re not just showing history,” explains a museum spokesperson, “we’re inspiring the next generation of engineers and scientists by demonstrating how technology changes and adapts.”
Fascinating historical tidbits will pepper the day’s activities. Visitors will learn how bridge stokers once shoveled an astonishing 20 tonnes of coal weekly, and how the original steam engines could raise the bridge’s massive sections in just 60 seconds.
Part of the broader British Science Week celebrations running from 7-16 March 2025, the event aligns with the national initiative to make science accessible and exciting for people of all ages and backgrounds.
The workshop is included with standard entrance tickets, with family tickets available. Parents should note that children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the event.
For science enthusiasts, history buffs, and families looking for an educational adventure, Tower Bridge offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of historical engineering and modern scientific discovery.
More information can be found at towerbridge.org.uk/events/family-activities.
As London continues to celebrate its rich scientific and industrial heritage, this event promises to bridge the gap between past and present, inspiring visitors to see technology not just as a tool, but as a dynamic, ever-evolving story of human innovation.
