The zone is approximately 380m long and 27m wide; it is bounded downstream by Tower Bridge and to the west by the dock next to Tower Pier. There are two access points, via the Queen’s Stairs or the Irongate Stairs at Dead Man’s Hole, under Tower Bridge. Gates to both of these are usually locked, and access is not permitted to the foreshore except during the Tower Open Foreshore event. The ground conditions on the site are generally firm (sands and gravels), with some scouring at the downstream end of the zone.