The London Bridge Experience facts for kids
The London Bridge Experience is a fun place to visit in Southwark, London, England. It's located right by the River Thames. When you visit, actors will guide you through exciting moments from London's past. You'll learn about brave Boudicca fighting the Romans and the famous Great Fire of London. It's a journey through history that brings the past to life!
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Discovering the London Bridge Experience
This attraction is found on Tooley Street, hidden in the old vaults beneath the southern end of London Bridge. It's super close to London Bridge Station and also across from The Shard, a very tall building. The London Bridge Experience first opened its doors on February 22, 2008. It cost about £2,000,000 to create this amazing place!
Before it even opened, something spooky happened. In October 2007, the BBC reported that builders working in the crypt found some old skeletons. They were so scared that they didn't want to work alone anymore!
Tour guides lead you through the "dark" parts of London's history. You'll hear about Boudicca's battles with the Romans, the huge Great Fire of London, and even meet Vikings from the past. The experience also teaches you about all the different bridges that have stood on this spot over time. You'll learn about the first military bridge built by the Romans, the first stone bridge made by Peter of Colechurch, and the Victorian bridge by John Rennie (which is now in Arizona, USA!). Finally, you'll see the modern bridge opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1971.
In 2012, the London Bridge Experience added "audio-wands." These let visitors from other countries listen to the show in their own language. You can choose from German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, and French.
What Happens at the London Bridge Experience?
The London Bridge Experience is the first part of your adventure. You get to travel through the exciting and sometimes dark history of London Bridge. You'll meet many different characters and journey from the time of the Romans all the way to today. Your trip will include stories about famous figures like Jack the Ripper, William Wallace, Guy Fawkes, and Sir John Rennie.
Exploring the London Tombs
There's another cool part of the attraction called The London Tombs. This is included in your ticket price! It's a scare attraction built in what used to be a place where people were buried during a plague. This part is optional and is best for kids aged 11 and older. If you're younger, or if you just prefer something less scary, you can ask for a special "Guardian Angel tour" which is child-friendly.
Phobophobia: A Halloween Special
The London Bridge Experience also hosts a special Halloween show called Phobophobia every October. There are two versions of the Phobophobia show. During the day, there's a family-friendly Halloween show that everyone can enjoy. In the evening, there's an adult-only show that is much scarier and more intense. The evening show always has a new and exciting theme. In the past, it has featured hillbillies, clowns, freaks, living dolls, ventriloquist dolls, voodoo characters, snakes, spiders, and many other spooky themes!
Awards and Recognition
The London Tombs has won several awards for being the best scare attraction in the United Kingdom! It won the Screamie Award, which later became the SCARS award, for "Best Year Round Scare Attraction" every year from 2009 to 2019. The London Bridge Experience was also nominated as a finalist for "Best Attraction for Group Visits" by Group Travel Organiser. Other famous places nominated included Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral, and the Houses of Parliament.
