Scary but Interesting London Bridge Experience

London Bridge that spans the River Thames is famous not only because of its reference in the nursery rhyme “London Bridge is Falling Down” and its inclusion within art and literature but also because of the fact that several historical bridges bearing the same name have been its predecessors spanning the river between the City of London and Southwark, in central London. At a time, the only way to cross the Thames between these two places was by ferry or a rickety wooden bridge until medieval times.

Starting with the first timber bridge built by the Roman founders of London, there has been a succession of timber bridges and then a 600-year-old medieval structure that was followed by a 19^th-century stone-arched bridge. However, the present bridge which was set up in 1974 is a box girder bridge made from concrete and steel. The medieval London Bridge was only demolished when a new bridge replaced it and by then, the old bridge has been in operation for more than 600 years.

Moreover, it was used to display heads of traitors that were stuck on spikes for all to see. National victory celebrations were done by taking out gorgeous processions on the bridge. It served as the focal point of the city as also for the entire country. During those days, it was not very wise to oppose the monarchy as was borne out by the heads of traitors on spikes above the stone gatehouse of the bridge. The first such unfortunate man was William Wallace, a Scottish freedom fighter, and then others followed including rebel Jack Cade, Thomas More, Guy Fawkes and Oliver Cromwell.

The present London Bridge is located at the western end of the Pool of London but about 30 metres upstream from the alignment of the previous bridges. This bridge was the only road-crossing of the Thames downstream of Kingston-upon-Thames until the opening of the Putney Bridge in 1729.

London Bridge Experience

Tourists who are interested in knowing more about the London Bridge can take this unique and interactive journey. It will help them to explore the underground tombs of the bridge and go through the haunting tales of London’s past through its deep, dark history. They will be able to travel back in time and get to know more about 2000 years of history regarding London Bridge and the surrounding area. They can watch how Boudica fought her battles against the Romans and how she got entangled with the treachery and fates of traitors and got engulfed in the Great London Fire. They can also follow the horrendous tales of Jack the Ripper and if they enter the bowels of the Bridge, they can experience terror, torments and trickery within The Tombs. This experience will certainly prove to be the scariest attraction in London revealing the rich history of gruesome, gory Britain. Real life actors and animation is used for this interactive experience that is in two parts that are The London Bridge Experience and London Tombs. With this experience you will discover what London’s life was from the Roman times, to the fierce battles of Queen Boudicca and about 19^th century pick pockets. You will also be able to discover the darkness of a disused railway tunnel, the traitor’s Gate House and the Chapel of Thomas Beckett.

 

For being able to visit the London Bridge Experience conveniently, visitors to London should stay at Hyde Park Premier London Paddington as they would be located close by and also near the Paddington Station and the various attractions of the city.

The London Tombs also provides an unbeatable scary scene regarding the former 16^th century plague pit. You will be able to explore the gruesome past of the city and London Bridge from terrifying tales and true stories in a scary adventure trip into the depths of the tomb.

Some Scary Facts

London is still haunted due to the legend of the disfigured Mastern Brother’s vengeful murders that have resulted in the killings of four men on Tower Bridge. At the London Bridge Experience, some workers working on shift have heard eerie cries of children and have also witnessed poltergeist activity. The death toll due to the Great Fire of London in 1966 is not officially known but many Londoners may have been cremated due to the heat of the fire and their remains would have become unrecognisable. Many studies and analyses regarding the murders committed by Jack the Ripper have been done and a new term has been coined Ripperology. At the London Bridge, many people have heard phantom cries supposed to be that of ‘traitors’ who were beheaded between 1305 and 1660 and their heads were dipped in tar and stuck on pikes.

London Bridge Underground station can be reached through the Jubilee and northern lines and through the national rail network. London Bridge Experience is located in Zone 1 of the London Transport Network and as such if you have the London pass and Oyster Travelcard, your journey will be included in your package. If you have the London pass, you get free admission to 60 top attractions.

 

During February 2016, there will be extended opening hours on Thursdays and Fridays. The first show will be at 10.30am and the last show at 18.00 rather than 17.00.