L16 - North riverbank trail from the Tower of London across London Bridge (1.4 km)

philip carey
Aug 20, 2022
6 min read

Updated: Dec 22, 2024

Start at Tower Hill Station

Finish at London Bridge Station

THE EXPERIENCE

This is one of London's most historic and oldest areas, with the Tower of London being here since 1070 and London Bridge being the only bridge into London until Westminster Bridge was built in 1750. It has historically been the main area for river trade and commerce, with the Port of London and Custom House sited close to the Tower of London. This short discovery route takes you from Tower Hill Station to London Bridge Station along the north side of the River Thames, past the Tower of London, Custom House, Old Billingsgate Market and London Bridge.

Great for history and historic sights, cityscapes and riverside views, iconic sites, churches, bridges, sunrises, and sunsets. Crowds around the Tower of London and London Bridge with a few pubs and eating places at the start and end of the route.

View from the top of Tower Bridge toward City Hall and London Bridge

MUST SEE PLACES

What to See List

1. Tower of London

2. Tower Hill and Trinity Square

3. Around Fenchurch Street

4. Customs House

5. Old Billingsgate Market

6. The Monument

7. London Bridge Views

8. Southwark Cathedral

9. Borough Market

10. The Shard

PLACES TO EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY

Areas to Eat, Drink and Be Merry List

1. Around St Katharine Docks

2. Around Tower Millennium Pier

3. Around Bayward Street

4. North of Trinity Square

5. Around Fenchurch Street

6. Around the Monument

7. Around Bank

8. Borough Market

9. Around London Bridge Station

10. Around the Shard

BEST TIME

Morning - The best time to do this route is on weekends in the early morning when it is quiet and free from crowds and heavy traffic.

Day - The area around the Tower of London and London Bridge will be busy during the day.

Evenings - Quieter during the evening.

ROUTE OVERVIEW

This route sets off from Tower Hill Station and goes around Trinity Gardens before skirting the top of Tower Hill Terrace and turning right past All Hallows by the Tower Church. It turns left onto Byward Street and follows the street down into Lower Thames Street with Custom's House on its left. It turns down the next left into a narrow passage next to Old Billingsgate, called Old Billingsgate Walk, which brings you out by the river with great views of Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast and the Shard. The route then follows the riverside path east towards London Bridge, which goes up a flight of stairs onto the bridge. The final section crosses London Bridge towards the Shard, crossing Tooley Street and then under the bridge on the left, which goes towards the endpoint at the station entrance - next to the Shard.

Route at a Glance Video

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Strava Link

My Google Map Link

DESCRIPTIVE PHOTO GALLERY

This gallery provides a descriptive and visual reference to many sights along this route. Use the Google Map above to find their location. Double-click to see its full size.

INTERESTING FACTS

Tower of London

Tower of London

The Tower of London is officially called Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London. It was founded in 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest.

The Byward Tower is at the southwest corner of the Tower of London and is the Great Gatehouse of the Outer Ward of the Tower. It was built by King Henry III and completed in 1272 to offer additional protection to the central keep. The tower comprised a series of defences to deter intruders, including a drawbridge in the causeway, arrow loops in the twin towers and two portcullises. Today, it is the main entrance to the Tower of London.

The White Tower is the tower’s keep and was used as a refuge, a military base, and a living quarter for the reigning monarchy. It was built in 1097 by William the Conqueror after the invasion of 1066 to awe, subdue and terrify Londoners and deter foreign invaders. It was painted white in 1240 by Henry III and has since been known as the White Tower – and the ‘torture tower’ by traitors!

Tower of London Moat and Wall

Edward I created this deep moat in the 1270s to keep attackers at a distance and to prevent them from undermining a new curtain wall. This was so well-built and effective that its basic shape still survives. Initially, it was at least 50 metres wide and very deep at high tide, and sluice gates controlled the ebb and flow of the river. The moat has experienced many changes over its history, and in 2022, it was transformed into a flower garden.

Trinity Square

10 Trinity Square Four Seasons Hotel

Before this was a 5-star Four Seasons hotel, it was the former headquarters of the Port of London Authority, which managed safety within the tidal stretch of the Thames and promoted river trade. Architecturally, it is a Beaux-Arts style. The building’s exterior has been featured in many films and shows, including The Professionals, Kavanagh QC, The Crown, and the 2012 James Bond film Skyfall

All Hallows Church

All Hallows (All Saints), by the Tower, is the oldest church in the City of London and was founded by the Abbey of Barking in 675AD, 300 years before the Tower of London. An arch from the Saxon church can still be seen today. It survived the Great Fire of London in 1666 but was extensively damaged in World War II. The church was rebuilt in 1957. John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the USA, was married in All Hallows in 1797.

Execution Site: Trinity Square was historically known as a site for executions. It gained infamy as the location where many prisoners were executed, including prominent figures such as William Wallace, the Scottish knight who led a resistance against English rule in the 13th century.

Trinity House: The square is home to Trinity House, an institution established in 1514 to regulate pilotage on the River Thames and provide aid to mariners. It remains a significant maritime authority to this day, responsible for lighthouses, buoys, and maritime safety.

Memorial Garden: Trinity Square features a memorial garden dedicated to the merchant navy and fishing fleets who served and perished during both World Wars. The garden serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by seafarers in times of conflict.

London Bridge

London Bridge

There has been a bridge here since the Romans arrived in London in AD44. Old London Bridge was built in 1209 and lasted until 1831. By the 1400s, there were 200 houses built along its length and its entrance gate had the heads of those executed put on spikes for all to see. This current bridge dates from 1973, and the previous London Bridge is now in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

First Stone Bridge: The earliest known London Bridge was constructed by the Romans around 50 AD. During the dark ages after the Roman's left, (from around 400 AD), there was no London Bridge, and London was no longer the capital and lay wasted until Alfred the Great revived the city, built up its defences and re-built the bridge. It was initially made of wood aand replaced by a stone bridge in 1209 which lasted for 600 years.

Origins of Nursery Rhyme: The nursery rhyme "London Bridge is Falling Down" is believed to have originated from the repeated collapses and subsequent repairs of the medieval London Bridge due to factors like poor construction methods and natural disasters.

Houses and Shops: For centuries, London Bridge was lined with houses and shops. In the 16th century, it became a bustling marketplace, with merchants selling goods from their premises on the bridge.

Traitor's Heads Display: Historically, London Bridge displayed the heads of traitors as a deterrent to potential rebels. These heads were often displayed on spikes above the bridge's gatehouses.

The Shard

The Shard is currently the tallest building in the United Kingdom, standing at 310 meters (1,017 feet) tall.

Renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano designed the Shard. His inspiration for the design came from railway lines and church spires.

The building's name, "The Shard," refers to its resemblance to a shard of glass. The design features irregular glass facets that reflect the changing light and weather conditions, giving the building a dynamic appearance.

The Shard is not just an office building; it is a mixed-use development that includes offices, restaurants, a hotel, residential apartments, and a viewing gallery.

At the top of the Shard is "The View from The Shard," a public viewing gallery offering panoramic views of London. It is the highest viewing gallery in Western Europe.

Construction: Construction of the Shard began in March 2009 and was completed in July 2012. It officially opened to the public in February 2013.

The Shard is more than twice the height of the London Eye and almost as tall as the Eiffel Tower.

VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE AREA

Click on the picture below to go on a 360 virtual tour of the area and have a look around.

Use the red route to explore this location by looking around in 360, taking in the sights and sounds, listening to an audio recording about the area and going on a virtual tour.