The reaches. Tower Bridge divides the Upper Pool, which runs up to London Bridge, from the Lower Pool below it.
Lifts. Any vessel with a mast or superstructure of 30 feet or more can ask for a lift, booked at least 24 hours ahead and free of charge. Film one that is already booked, or bring your own tall vessel through at a time you choose. Our guide to filming a lift explains how.
Speed. From St Saviour’s Dock, just below the bridge, boats with a PLA Certificate of Compliance can go above 12 knots, so fast runs work downriver of the bridge. Through the Pool itself, the limit is 12 knots.
The light. The river runs east here, so from the Upper Pool the bridge is backlit in the morning and lit by the evening sun. From downriver it is the other way round.
On the water. Commercial filming on the tidal Thames needs permission from the Port of London Authority, and we apply for it as part of the job.
In the air. Tower Bridge and the Pool of London sit inside the City of London restricted area (R158), so any drone shot needs NATS permission and clearance from air traffic control on the day.
On land. Filming on the bridge itself needs Tower Bridge’s permission, and the Tower and the riverside walks have their own owners. We line up the land permissions with the river ones.
Tower BridgeSt Katharine DocksButler's Wharf
Our productionsOrca Fisher: James Fisher Tanker Thames TransitAerial photography tracking the new James Fisher tanker Orca Fisher as she transits the River Thames past Canary Wharf and moors alongside HMS Belfast in the City at dusk.Read the job
Marine businessesMMS Marine Tow: Ex-PLA Yacht ST KatherineCinematic drone filming and high-end aerial photography capturing the historic transit of the ST Katherine for MMS Marine Services.Read the job
Marine businessesEnd of Tideway Tow: FPV + Cinematic FilmingHigh-speed FPV and cinematic tracking of a historic final tow operation along the River Thames for CPBS Marine Services.Read the jobPick a lift from the published times, or book one for a tall vessel you bring. We put a camera boat where it can hold safely, and add aerials where the airspace allows.
Yes. Small boats pass under the bridge without a lift, so we can film from both sides and run through it.
Only with NATS permission, as the bridge sits inside the City of London restricted area (R158). Tell us as early as you can: we hold long-standing permissions across London, so we can often fly at short notice.
Yes, with Tower Bridge’s permission. We can plan the shots from the bridge and the boat so they join up.
