What makes the London Bridge unusual?

The inside of the bridge is hollow because it was rebuilt in order to accommodate auto traffic. During the London Bridge's reassembly, a steel framework was faced in granite, rather than using solid granite blocks, which reduced its weight from 130,000 tons to 30,000 tons while strengthening the structure.



People Also Ask

The current colour scheme dates back to 1977. 'The bridge was painted blue, white and red in preparation for the Queen's Silver Jubilee' explains Baty. When it had a £4m overhaul 11 years ago the team decided to stick with the longest-standing hue.

MORE DETAILS

1977 - Tower Bridge was painted red, white and blue to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee. The original colour of the Bridge was a chocolate brown colour.

MORE DETAILS

Fun Facts About The London Bridge
  • Kaboom! The vintage lamps on the bridge are made from the melted-down cannons of Napoleon Bonaparte's army.
  • The London Bridge is rumored to be haunted. ...
  • The inside of the bridge is hollow because it was rebuilt in order to accommodate auto traffic. ...
  • The London Bridge is a movie star!


MORE DETAILS

8 Fascinating Facts about Big Ben in London
  • We're not sure who Ben was - but we have a couple of ideas.
  • The Clock Tower took over 15 years to build.
  • Big Ben is a marvel of Victorian engineering.
  • Big Ben miraculously survived World War II.
  • The bells of Big Ben chime a distinctive melody.


MORE DETAILS

The Tower Bridge is the only movable bridge of the 29 bridges on the Thames River. When the bridge opened to river traffic in 1894, it was raised and lowered 1,000 times per year.

MORE DETAILS

To look at London Bridge now you see…. well…..a bridge with traffic on it. But go back three centuries or more and the bridge was full of houses and some illustrious tenants. During the reign of Henry VIII, the court painter Holbein lived there.

MORE DETAILS

As if that wasn't enough, parts of the bridge collapsed on several occasions, including 1281, 1309, 1425 and 1437. The 1281 collapse happened when expanding ice from the frozen Thames literally crushed five of the arches.

MORE DETAILS

The former bridge pedestrian entrance, which is built into the tower of St. Magnus the Marytr Church on Lower Thames Street, still remains. In the church courtyard, you can find some large carved stones that are remains of the Bridge from the northernmost arch.

MORE DETAILS