There are quite a few places in London where you can see Tower Bridge, but some of the nicest views are actually a little further away from the bridge itself. They’re usually a little quieter too.
In the evening, when the sun begins to set, the Thames reflects the colours of the sky and the bridge stands out beautifully against the City buildings behind it. It’s one of those moments where London suddenly looks very picturesque.
While the areas right next to the bridge can get quite crowded, there are several quieter spots nearby where you can watch the sunset without quite so many people around.
Here are a few places that offer particularly nice views.
Bermondsey Beach
One of the most peaceful places to watch the sunset over Tower Bridge is Bermondsey Beach.
This small stretch of foreshore sits along the Thames Path in Bermondsey. When the tide is low, steps lead down to a little pebbly beach where you can stand right beside the river. Loads of people go mudlarking in these sorts of areas.
From here you get a really clear view across the Thames towards Tower Bridge and the City skyline behind it. Because it’s slightly removed from the main tourist areas around the bridge, it tends to be much quieter than the viewpoints right next to Tower Bridge itself.
It’s the kind of place where people occasionally stop to take photos, but more often it’s just locals walking along the river taking the views for granted.
Butler’s Wharf
Another lovely place to see the sunset is Butler’s Wharf.
This historic stretch of riverside used to be a collection of warehouse buildings, and today it’s lined with restaurants and cafés with views straight across the river.
Because the walkway runs right alongside the Thames, you get a very close view of Tower Bridge here. It’s a popular spot for evening walks, especially when the light starts to soften in the early evening.
It can get a little busier than Bermondsey Beach, but the view of the bridge framed by the old warehouse buildings is particularly beautiful.
Potters Fields Park
For a slightly greener setting, Potters Fields Park is another nice option.
The park sits right beside the bridge and opens directly onto the river, so you get an uninterrupted view of Tower Bridge as the sun goes down.
Because it’s so close to the bridge itself it tends to attract more visitors, but it’s still a lovely place to sit for a while and watch the light change over the Thames.
The Riverside Near London Bridge
If you walk a little further along the Thames Path towards London Bridge, you’ll find several stretches of riverside where you can also see Tower Bridge from a distance.
From here the bridge sits slightly further along the river, framed by the skyline of the City behind it. It’s a quieter perspective of the view and a nice place for an evening walk along the river.
When Is the Best Time to Go?
Sunset is obviously the best time to visit, but it’s worth arriving about twenty minutes beforehand so you can watch the light slowly change.
On clear evenings the sky often turns soft shades of pink and orange behind the skyline, and the reflections across the Thames make the view of Tower Bridge even more striking.
Things to Do Nearby
Most of these viewpoints are within walking distance of Bermondsey and London Bridge, so it’s easy to combine sunset with a short wander around the area.
You could easily pair a walk along the river with a visit to:
All of them are only a short walk away.
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