Key dates

1886 - The construction of Tower Bridge began on 22 April.

1894 - Tower Bridge was opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales with great celebrations, on 30 June.

1910 - The high-level Walkways, which were designed so that the public could still cross the Bridge when it was raised, were closed due to lack of use.

1912 - During a stunt, Frank McClean flew between the bascules and the high-level Walkways in his Short seaplane. He then proceeded to followed by fly under at least three other bridges on his way to Westminster.

1952 - The number 78 London bus driven by Albert Gunter on its way across the Bridge, had to leap from one bascule to the other when the Bridge began to rise.

1976 - Tower Bridge switches to electrified hydraulics, rather than the steam-driven system it was originally powered by.

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.

1982 - Tower Bridge opened to the public for the first time since 1910 with a permanent exhibition inside called The Tower Bridge Experience.

2012 - Playing a focal point in the London Olympics, this year saw the Olympic rings suspended from the Walkways and James Bond and ‘the Queen’ fly through in a helicopter during the Opening Ceremony.