Visiting the Tower of London – Tickets, Tours & FAQs

Everything you need to know to book your visit to the Tower of London

Visiting the Tower of London

Brief History

The Tower of London has a long and varied history, having served as a royal palace, a prison, a treasury, a mint, and a zoo, among other things.

The tower was founded in 1066 by William the Conqueror, who built it as a symbol of his power and a means of defence against possible invasions. Over the centuries, the tower has undergone numerous renovations and expansions, and it now consists of several buildings and structures, including the White Tower, the Royal Chapel of St. John the Evangelist, and the Waterloo Barracks.

Throughout its history, the tower has played a significant role in English royal history. It has served as a royal palace for many monarchs, including Henry III, who extensively renovated the tower in the 13th century. The tower has also been used as a prison, holding notable prisoners like Sir Thomas More, Anne Boleyn, and the Kray twins.

In addition to its royal and prison functions, the tower has also served as a treasury and a mint. It was here that England’s gold and silver coins were produced for hundreds of years. The tower has also been home to the Royal Menagerie, a collection of exotic animals given to the monarchy as gifts from foreign rulers.

Today, the Tower of London is a major tourist attraction and is managed by the Historic Royal Palaces, an independent charity that cares for several of the UK’s historic royal palaces.

Getting to the Tower of London

• Tube: The closest tube station is Tower Hill (on the Circle and District lines), a 5-minute walk to the Tower of London.

• Overground rail: Fenchurch Street and London Bridge are located within 10 – 15 mins walking distance of the Tower.

• Uber boat: Tower Pier

• Sightseeing buses: All major sightseeing buses pass by the Tower of London

Opening hours

The Tower of London is generally open every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Opening hours vary between summer and winter seasons and also during school holidays. Check the official website for more information before planning your visit.

When is the best time to visit the Tower of London 

• The Tower of London is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London so expect it to be busy!

• It can be especially crowded on Saturdays and Sundays.

• If possible plan your visit for a weekday.

• Visit as early in the day as you can – be there at opening time or even better still book a tour which allows early access such as this Walks tour. Not only can you observe the opening ceremony but you will also be the first to access the Crown Jewels.

Tip – Queues to see the jewels can exceed 1 – 2 hours later in the day so we highly recommend heading to the Crown Jewels as soon as you enter the Tower of London.

What other London attractions are located near the Tower of London?

• Tower Bridge
• St Dunstans in the East
• HMS Belfast
• Borough Market (head over there for lunch after your visit)
• Shad Thames (hidden gem)
• Leadenhall Market (as seen in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone)
• Monument of the Fire of London (Pudding Lane)
• The Shard
• The Sky Garden
• St Paul’s Cathedral

Tips for planning your visit to the Tower of London

1. Plan your visit in advance to avoid long lines. Go early in the day and as soon as you enter head for the Crown Jewels – the later in the day you are the longer the queue will be!
2. There is a lot to see once inside the Tower of London so plan to be there for at least 4 hours.
3. Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking including up and down flights of stairs.
4. Walk the walls for fabulous views of Tower Bridge, the Shard and more!
5. Consider booking a small group tour to learn more about the tower’s history. While the free Yeoman warder tour is excellent you may find yourself in a very large group!
6. There are strict security measures at the Tower of London including bag searches. Travel light and avoid bringing large bags. Selfie sticks and tripods are also not allowed.
7. Check the tower’s website for any scheduled events or closures before you visit.
8. The Tower is a medieval building and as such is unfortunately not fully accessible for visitors with mobility issues.
9. You can’t take food and drink into the tower. There are a couple of cafes and a kiosk for snacks – the New Armouries Cafe, the Ravens Cafe and the Jewel Kiosk.
10. Consider purchasing a combination ticket like this which includes the Tower of London and a Tower Bridge Early-Access Tour,
11. The tower is home to the famous ravens which are considered good luck to the tower and the kingdom. Legend has it that if the 6 resident ravens ever leave the tower the kingdom and tower will fall. There are 9 ravens kept at the tower today – maybe the extra 3 are insurance??
12. There are traditional ceremonies held at the Tower of London every day including the opening and closing ceremonies. If you wish to attend these you will need to either book a tour which includes access (eg the Walks tour which includes the opening ceremony) or here for the Ceremony of the Keys – tickets cost only £5 and are released on the first working day of the month for the following month. Book as soon as they are released as this is extremely popular. I would highly recommend the Walks VIP Ceremony of the Keys experience though!

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