THE LONDON BRIDGE EXPERIENCE ULTIMATE GUIDE
Open: Mon - Fri: 12:00AM to 6:00PM
Open: Sat - Sun: 11:30AM to 6:00PM
Time Needed: 3 hours
Price: £26.95
Songs have been written about it, history books have mentioned it, and London historians have talked about it, but The London Bridge Experience (also known as “the scariest location in the UK”) will make you see London’s most famously-known bridge in an entirely new light.
The first London Bridge was built around 53 A.D. to serve as a military-style pontoon bridge during the Roman times, but was destroyed by a rebel army led by Queen Boudica in 60 A.D. After this, a new London Bridge was built to connect Southwark with Londinium, which at this point was such an established city and port, the bridge served as an essential gateway both to and from south London.
The London Bridge was destroyed by three different fires (in 1215, 1633 and again during The Great Fire of London in 1666) however, the present London Bridge was constructed in 1971, and designed by architect Lord Holford and engineers Mott, Hay and Anderson.
The London Bridge Experience, on the other hand, wasn’t opened until as recently as 2008, and is located below the southern abutment of the bridge inside the vaults and excavated tombs. The London Tombs, which are a separate attraction located inside The London Bridge Experience, were formerly used as a plague pit during medieval times.
Highlights The London Bridge Experience
From coming face-to-face with Jack The Ripper, evil laughing clowns, and nesting spiders trying to trap you in their webs, The London Bridge Experience contains all of your most horrifying nightmares trapped into one creepy and unforgettable attraction.
The first half of the attraction is set up like a museum so visitors can get educated on the history of the London Bridge and its surrounding areas. Visitors will get to see recreations of the many London bridges (which were built over the Thames since as far back as the Roman times), be led through recreations of the surrounding medieval streets, and even cross the burning London Bridge during The Great Fire of London.
The narrow alleyways will then lead you through the Chapel of Thomas Becket and a Roman prison, while you hear horrifying stories about Jack The Ripper, the ghost of John Reddie, The Star Inn on Fish Lane, and The Keeper Of The Heads.
The second half of the attraction is essentially like a haunted house, and you will be led through a series of rooms with your hands on the shoulders of the person in front of you. As you’re walking through the attraction, creepy characters will be jumping out at you, whispering in your ear, and even running after you with an axe and a chainsaw! (For this section of the tour, children under the ages of ten can opt for the specialized Guardian Angels Tour, and help “scare away” the “monsters” jumping out at the other visitors).
Visitors will also have to tread through a boneyard, and find their way through a tree root and crate maze while a creepy version of the classic “London Bridge” song is looped on the overhead speakers.
At the end of the tour, you will have your picture taken in front a giant green screen behind you which will display all sorts of creepy and horrifying images once the photograph is developed. (You can purchase the photo at the end of the tour for £7).
Special Tips
Although the attraction can be enjoyed by anyone of all ages, small children as well as those who don't like small, tight spaces might not enjoy everything that the attraction has to offer. As a matter of fact, the attraction is perhaps best suited for teenagers, or children and adults who love a thrill and adrenaline rush.
If you want to dine after the experience, you can enjoy a Stein of Paulaner beer and a Classic Bratwurst Hotdog at The Bermondsey Bierkeller with a deal package for £39.99 (+18 only).
If you are interested in the dark history of London, think about combining this experience with a Free Jack the Ripper Tour or a Free Ghost Tour.
Getting There
Address: 2-4 Tooley St, London Bridge, London SE1 2SY, United Kingdom.
By Tube or by Rail: The nearest station is London Waterloo, which is a five-minute walk away.
By Bus: You can reach The London Bridge Experience via routes 35, 133, 141, 344, 40, 48, 21, 149, 43, RV1, 35, and 17.
By Car: The nearest car parks are located on Kipling Street, Southwark Street, Park Street and Cornwall Road.
Visiting The London Bridge Experience
Recommended visiting time is around two to three hours, and queuing time can last anywhere from 30 minutes or even up to two hours during busier periods.
Please note that the use of cameras and phones are strictly prohibited inside the attraction.
All visitors will be given a free audio guide (which is available in five languages), and can be picked up at the Box Office as soon as you arrive.
Members of staff will be located throughout the attraction for anyone who becomes too terrified to continue the tour, and there are also Guardian Angel Tours designed for for school groups and children. For the Guardian Angel Tours, visitors will be taken ahead of the rest of the group during the scariest parts of the tour, but will still get to experience all the sights and sounds that the attraction has to offer without getting too frightened during their visit.
Ticket prices and Opening hours
The London Bridge Experience is open every day from:
- Monday to Friday, 12 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tickets for The London Bridge Experience cost:
- £26.95 (online, +£1 booking fee ) for adults
- £19.50 (online, +£1 booking fee) for juniors between the ages of 5 and 15.
Discounted tickets are available for groups as well.
If you want to visit The London Bridge Experience, you might want to join the many free tours in London on offer.
