Tower Bridge , is it crowded already at 11 am?

If you are above the bridge when it lifts you can't experience the view of the whole bridge with the bascule open. My favourite place is along the footpath in front of the Tower of London looking southeast to the opening bridge, for an afternoon or noon opening.

Please let us know how being on the bridge goes when it opens.

Bear in mind that the bridge only opens for the minimum amount of time. It is a very busy road.

Jen here's my advice, be prepared for crowds everywhere while you are in London.

Trying to figure out how to avoid queues, predict the weather or what food to eat at Borough Market in advance is a crap shoot especially at the height of the tourist season.

That's the harsh reality of visiting London during the summer months.

If you arrive in that great city understanding and accepting that reality you won't stress out while there.

And if you want to truly experience daily life in London, walk through one of its lovely parks or wander the neighborhood around St Paul's, down the back alleys or take the Thames walk from Butlers Wharf to Rotherhithe. No crowds anywhere.

Enjoy your stay.

I'll echo another post. You need to be prepared for large crowds everywhere.You are in London in prime vacation season.The chances of small lines is slim at any time. JMO

Hi Jen:

When I was in London in 2014 I came across a Tower Bridge opening which occurs only three times a day on the average. Here is a link to my blog where I have some photographs of this event. The area just behind the gate that kept people away from the rising section was crowded. If I had to do it again I would stand on one of riverside walk ways and get a side view of the bridge opening/closing. If you do this you should see more.

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/georgelondon/2/1410187000/tpod.html?pbrowser=/georgelondon/2/1410187000/filename/thames-tall-mast-traffic.jpg#_

Since I came across this opening by accident I didn't pay attention to lines for going up to the walkway. However, at bridge level there weren't that many folks waiting at 20 minutes before the opening. My belief is that most of the spectators stumble across the opening rather than deliberately plan to see the event; hence, no huge crowds ahead of time. When it actually happens it will become crowded.

Hi All,

thanks so much for the inputs.

Hi Nigel & Geor,
i was actually still thinking whether to see it from the side or from the walkways as both provides different angle and view. i'm attracted with the video on their website that's shot from the walkway's glass floor. it's something new and i don't know if other lifting bridge offered that type of view elsewhere. i've seen similar bridge lifting view from the side before whilst i'm sure the beautiful Tower Bridge would provide different scenery. still thinking...

Hi Claudia and carol
yes, i've prepared for the crowds everywhere during summer. just want to put those involved with high number of queues on my priority itinerary then afterwards we could escape somewhere calmer. Claudia, thanks so much for the tips. that's exactly what i'm looking for. i've looked for secluded areas in Notting Hill as well not on the Portobello Market area. getting glimpse of locals' daily life is the thing that makes our DIY trip! Butlers Wharf to Rotherhithe..noted!

Ditto to what Claudia said.

If you want a glimpse of how the locals live their daily lives, get up around sun up (0447 on June 29) or a bit later, maybe 0530 or so, and get out on the market streets to see how Londoners really live. Tourists always sleep in and then are surprised when they find crowds at places they visit in late morning. Beat the crowds and savor experiences with the locals as they start their day. You can sleep when you get back home.

London is always very crowded. Each summer tourists from all over the world are visiting the city. Especially in high season (Summer break). I would visit everything you want to see very early. Enjoy London!