London Bridge, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London - 2.9 km Route
- Philip Carey
- Oct 13, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Route Overview
Start: London Bridge Station
Finish: Tower Hill Station
Distance: 2.9 km
Estimated Time: 15-25 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time: Early morning weekends
Best For: Iconic landmarks, riverside views, modern redevelopment, historic contrastsTerrain: Riverside paths, some cobbles and uneven surfaces
Notable: Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, More London, Tower of London
Quick Links
Maps: Google Map | Strava Map
Video: High-Speed Route Preview
Virtual Tour: 360° Interactive Map
Previous Route: Tower of London, Old Billingsgate & the Monument – 1.5 km
Alternative previous Route: City Tour, Skyscrapers, Bank of England and The Shard – 4.0 km
The Experience
This riverside route stretches from London Bridge to the Tower of London, offering a perfect blend of historical sights, stunning riverside views of the City of London, and numerous places to eat, drink, and be entertained.
The northern shore is rich in history, whilst the southern shore demonstrates how effectively the industrious Port of London has been redeveloped. Walk through More London's contemporary architecture, cross the iconic Tower Bridge, and arrive at the ancient Tower of London—experiencing a thousand years of London in less than 3km.
This route showcases London's genius for reinvention whilst preserving its soul.
Your Three Layers of Discovery
This self-guided route gives you everything you need to explore at your own pace, all in one place:
Familiarisation Guide – Core route information to get you started confidently
Sightseeing Guide – Points of interest, history, and 360° virtual tours to deepen your understanding
Connoisseur's Guide – Places to eat, drink, explore, plus 'add-on' routes
The Familiarisation Guide
Essential information to help you become familiar with the route before you arrive.
Maps
Use the Google and Strava maps below to stay on track. They show your location relative to the route, helping you explore confidently without getting lost.
Please note: These don't provide turn-by-turn directions—we want you present and alert, using your senses, not glued to your screen.
The Google map shows the main route in red
Both maps will open in a new tab.
High-Speed Route Preview (4:46)
See the route from a runner's perspective—as if you were sprinting at over 40 km/h. Watch this before you go to familiarise yourself visually with what's ahead.
What to Know Before You Go
Best Time to Stride:
The route can get crowded, so it's best to do this in the early morning—especially at weekends when it's quiet, the light is at its best, and you have the whole day ahead of you.
When London Awakens:
In the early morning, the river is at its most beautiful, reflecting the City's skyline. Tower Bridge without tourists is an unforgettable sight, and the cobbled streets of Shad Thames echo with history.
Tower Bridge Lifts:
Opens approximately 800 times a year. Check the lift schedule at towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times
Tower Wharf:
Opening times normally 07:00–19:00. Check exceptions at hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/visit/opening-and-closing-times
Terrain Note:
Areas around Tower Wharf, Shad Thames, and St Katharine Dock Marina have cobbles and uneven surfaces.
Top Tip:
Have this guide and your chosen map (Google or Strava) available on your mobile for quick reference.
The Sightseeing Guide
Once you know the route, dive deeper into the stories and sights that make this stride special.
Key Sights Along the Way
London Bridge
Queen's Walk and City Views
Hays Galleria
HMS Belfast
More London
Tower Bridge
St Katharine Docks
The Tower of London
Explore the gallery below for photos, history, and the stories behind each location.
360° Virtual Tour
Step into the route before you stride it—or relive your experience afterwards. Click the map below to explore interactive 360° views at key locations along the way.
The virtual tour opens in a new tab with a map showing all 360° locations. Click any location icon to be transported to that spot.
The Connoisseur's Guide
Know the route well? Time to become a connoisseur. Discover the best places to eat, drink, and explore in the surrounding area.
Where to Eat & Drink
This map shows some of the best places to eat and drink along the route.
Main Dining Areas:
Borough Market, Borough High Street, and London Bridge – The epicentre of food culture
The Shard – High-end restaurants with views
More London – Contemporary dining options
Butler's Wharf – Excellent waterside restaurants
Hays Galleria – Casual dining in Victorian setting
St Katharine Docks – Marina-side options
Around Tower of London – Hotels with quality restaurants
Things to Do
Ticketed Attractions:
The View from The Shard – London's tallest building
HMS Belfast – Historic warship museum
Tower of London – Medieval fortress and Crown Jewels
Tower Bridge Experience – Inside the iconic bridge
Theatres around More London – Various performances
River Boat Experiences from Millennium Pier – Thames cruises
Free to Explore:
Queen's Walk – Stunning riverside promenade
More London – Contemporary architecture
Shad Thames – Historic warehouses and cobbled streets
St Katharine Docks – Beautiful marina
Tower Bridge – Walk across for free
Potter's Field Park – Green space with City views
Route Extensions
Three extensions help you explore the area more thoroughly:
Borough High Street and Market Extension – 1.32 km - Dive deeper into Borough's food and history scene.
The More London Extension – 0.9 km - Explore the contemporary waterfront development.
The Butler's Wharf Extension – 0.74 km - Discover the converted warehouses and dining quarter.
Main route in red, extensions in blue.
Detailed guides and videos coming soon.
Follow-On Routes
Continue Your Journey:
Extend further by adding the Tour of the Eastern Side of the City of London – 4.0 km route.
