Tower Bridge to host series of one-off talks to celebrate history spanning 125 years
Tower Bridge, London’s defining landmark, is opening its doors after hours for an exclusive series of one-off talks: all from one of the capital’s most famous river crossings.
From a chance to sample Victorian delicacies to a special screening of the 1959 screen classic The Boy on the Bridge, the series will illustrate 125 years of history alongside fascinating tales behind the people at the heart of one of the capital’s best-loved landmarks.
Held in the tower's brand new Learning Space, the talks form part of the year-long 125th anniversary celebration that saw record-breaking visitors to the Bridge in June.
Illuminated River Project
Thursday 5 September 2019
£20 per person (includes a welcome drink and a return ticket to visit Tower Bridge within 12 months)
Arrive: 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start
The Illuminated River Project is a London wide public art commission that will transform the capital at night, lighting up 15 bridges across the River Thames. Once complete, the project will be the longest public art project in the world, seen over 130 million times a year during its record 10-year lifespan. Join Director Sarah Gaventa and Project Architect Chris Waite at the Bridge to explore the ambitious decade-long public art project and how Tower Bridge will shine in its role.
Sir Horace Jones and the Architecture of Tower Bridge
Thursday 12 September 2019
£20 per person (includes a welcome drink and a return ticket to visit Tower Bridge within 12 months)
Arrive: 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start
Dr Jennifer Freeman, architectural historian and writer, and a specialist in ‘at risk’ conservation buildings will guide guests through the extraordinary life of Tower Bridge architect Sir Horace Jones. A specialist on the man behind a number of London’s most iconic buildings, including Smithfield Market and Billingsgate Market, Jennifer will not only explore Jones’ legacy and his innovations as a designer and planner, but the architectural marvel Tower Bridge remains as to this day.
Cooking and Dining with the Denizens of Tower Bridge in 1894
Thursday 17 October 2019
£20 per person (includes a welcome drink and a return ticket to visit Tower Bridge within 12 months)
Arrive: 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start
Don your kitchen whites and test your taste buds to explore the past century through an exclusive tasting talk with food historian Dr Annie Gray. Dr. Gray will take foodies on a whistle-stop tour of 125 years of gastronomic history at Tower Bridge.
An Illustrated Construction of Tower Bridge
Thursday 7 November 2019
£20 per person (includes a welcome drink and a return ticket to visit Tower Bridge within 12 months)
Arrive: 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start
From the fanciful to the downright farcical, explore some of the alternative river crossing designs presented to the City of London’s special committee in 1876. Tom Furber, Engagement and Learning Officer with the London Metropolitan Archive offers a fascinating insight into some of the weird and whacky designs submitted for the design competition, as well as the ground-breaking construction of Tower Bridge.
Tower Bridge & the Thames on Film
Thursday 5 December 2019
£20 per person (includes a welcome drink and a return ticket to visit Tower Bridge within 12 months)
Arrive: 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start. Please note this event will finish later due to the film screening
This illustrated talk by British Film Institute curator Simon McCallum will give a flavour of the BFI National Archive’s unparalleled collection of film and TV about London, with a particular focus on life along the Thames. Drawing on a rich array of newsreel footage, documentaries and home movies, this archive tour will include glimpses of the majestic Bridge itself across the past century. These films are part of the Britain on Film initiative, with thousands of newly digitised titles from the BFI and partner archives around the UK now free to explore on BFI Player. Simon’s talk will be complemented by a screening of the classic 1959 film The Boy on The Bridge, made possible by the estate of Director Kevin McClory.
Tickets are £20 per person and can be booked now.