London’s iconic Tower Bridge will transform into a hands-on science hub on Saturday, 8 March, offering free family activities that explore the landmark’s remarkable Victorian engineering.
As part of British Science Week, the bridge will host drop-in sessions from 10am to 4pm, inviting visitors to discover the fascinating mechanical history behind one of London’s most famous structures. Participants can engage in interactive experiences that bring the bridge’s technological heritage to life.
Activities will align with this year’s British Science Week theme of ‘change and adapt’, featuring engaging workshops such as generating power using hand heat, creating electricity with hand-crank generators, assembling a 3D bridge puzzle, and participating in a family challenge to build the strongest model bridge.
The event provides a unique opportunity to explore the bridge’s impressive technological legacy. Originally requiring over 80 people to maintain its engines, Tower Bridge would raise its bascules 20-30 times daily when first constructed. Today, it opens just 2-3 times on average, and visitors can now see the original steam engines that powered the bridge before transitioning to electricity in 1976.
“These activities are designed to spark curiosity about engineering and science,” said a Tower Bridge spokesperson. “We want to show how technology has evolved and inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.”
Interesting historical details will be shared throughout the day, including how bridge stokers once shoveled 20 tonnes of coal weekly and how the steam engines could raise the bascules in just 60 seconds.
The event is included with regular entrance tickets, with family tickets available. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
British Science Week, running from 7-16 March 2025, aims to celebrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics across all age groups. Tower Bridge’s event promises to be an exciting contribution to this national celebration of scientific discovery.
For more information, visit towerbridge.org.uk/events/family-activities.
Leave a Reply