Tower Bridge was constructed over 125 years ago by Bridge House Estates, which is now one of London’s largest independent charities.
Originally founded by Royal Charter in 1282 to build and maintain London Bridge, the charity now also looks after Blackfriars Bridge, Southwark Bridge and more recently, Millennium Bridge. Its income was initially generated through bridge tolls, taxes levied on goods transported over London Bridge and from properties that once lined the river crossing.
Today, while Bridge House Estates maintains its original function as an established City of London entity, it now operates a charitable arm called City Bridge Trust. Entrusted with managing the surplus funds accumulated by the institution since its foundation, this philanthropic division supports a vast range of Greater London charitable causes, environmental initiatives and social investment.
As part of Bridge House Estates, any profit generated by Tower Bridge is invested directly into the capital in the form of charitable grant making funds so by visiting Tower Bridge, visitors will help to support worthy causes across London.