Tower of London

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As one of the oldest and most important buildings in London, the Tower of London is one of the top sights of the British capital. The mighty tower was built in the legendary English Middle Ages and today houses the British Crown Jewels – a must for every London fan.

Save time and money by booking Tower of London tickets in advance.

By Klaus Kainz

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Tickets

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London: Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket

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London: VIP Tower Opening Ceremony, Crown Jewels & Cruise

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Guided Tours

Combine your trip to the Tower of London with a guided tour of the city.

London: Tower of London & Changing of the Guard Experience

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Full-Day Total London Tour & Flight on the London Eye

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London in One Day Tour with River Cruise

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London: Full-Day London Bus Tour with Snacks

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More Tickets & Tours

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9 tips for visiting the Tower of London

Tower of London illuminated | Unsplash: Nick Fewings

What exactly is included in the entrance fee?Tickets to the Tower of London include admission to the Crown Jewels and all public areas and exhibitions within the White Tower, the Bloody Tower and the fortifications. Tickets also include all children's activities and nature trails, as well as the opportunity for visitors to participate in a free tour with a Yeoman Warder. Those who feel generous, can add a little donation to the Ticket Price

Tower Ravens | Wiki Commons: Colin CC BY-SA 4.0

Don't miss the crown jewelsMake sure not to miss the Crown Jewels, the highlight of the Tower. In total, the 140 objects contain over 23,000 gems and precious stones, which are invaluable and are therefore guarded under arms. To avoid overcrowding, there is a moving walkway that guides guests through the exhibit at a slow pace.

Take part in a guided tour with the Yeoman WardersWith a ticket, you get to participate in a guided tour with the royal guard, the Yeoman Warders. Tours begin every 30 minutes at 10 a.m. (Tuesday through Saturday) or 10:30 a.m. (Sunday and Monday) and depart from the main entrance. The duration is one hour, but in case of bad weather conditions or due to events, certain areas of the castle might not be visited.

Take enough time for the visitYou can linger at the Tower of London as long as you like, but it is recommended that you allow at least three hours for a visit. There is a lot to see and do, and you should include a break for food or tea. However, a ticket is only valid for a one-time admission – so be careful not to leave the grounds in between.

Tower of London lions | Wiki Commons: Jordiferrer CC BY-SA 4.0

Book early - avoid the queueThere is no quick entry, but if you book a ticket in advance, you will avoid queuing at the ticket office. Inside, there can be queues, especially for the Crown Jewels. If you arrive at opening time, you have a good chance to avoid crowds.

Tower of London | Wiki Commons: King of Hearts CC BY-SA 4.0

Book in time for the key ceremonyThe Ceremony of the Keys is the nightly locking of the gates of the Tower of London. This involves the Chief Yeoman Warder going to the gates and locking them, returning to the Bloody Tower and being stopped and questioned by a sentry. After this ritual, the chief takes the keys back to the Queen's House. 40 to 50 guests watch the ceremony every evening at 9:30 p.m., but the (free) tickets are often taken twelve to 18 months in advance.

Interactive Tour with the Time Explorers AppWith the Time Explorers app for iOS and Android, you can experience fun tasks for the whole family within the tower. There are three different missions to choose from to complete.

Picnic in the moat of the towerDuring the summer months, you can picnic in the moat of the fortress! This provides a great way to take a break from the Tower. Alternatively, there are four different restaurants and cafes inside and outside the grounds.

Save money as a member of the Royal PalacesLondon fans can sign up as Historic Royal Palaces members for £55 for a year and get unlimited access to the Tower of London, as well as five other historic sites in the British capital: Hampton Court Palace, Banqueting House, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace and Hillsborough Castle.

Tower of London from above | Wiki commons: [Duncan] CC BY 2.0

The long history of the Tower of London

In its almost thousand-year history the iconic tower served not only as a palace, but also as a prison, fortress and armory. Here is a brief history of the legendary Tower of London and its legends.

Origins of the tower

Originally, the White Tower, after which the rest of the fortress was named, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078. Today, the Tower of London might only be one of many parts of the huge London skyline. At that time, however, the fortress on the Thames was a symbol of power visible far beyond the river. Its location on the Thames made it ideal for warding off enemy troops, but also for keeping potentially rebellious Londoners under control.

A feared prison

From the 12th century at the latest, the Tower of London was no longer just a fortress, but also a dungeon. While it served as an ordinary prison in the beginning, many famous and notorious personalities were imprisoned here from the 13th century onwards, including quite a few English as well as Scottish kings and even the French King John II.

The gruesome stories of the Tower of London

Many of the bloodiest events in English history took place in the Tower, the so-called Tower Green served as a place of execution until 1743. The first victim was the powerful William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings, who was accused of conspiracy. Henry VIII had two of his total of six wives executed in the Tower, among them Queen Anne Boleyn and her cousin Catherine Howard. The conspirator Guy Fawkes, whose grimace has gained new notoriety these days thanks to the hacker group Anonymous, also met his end in the Tower after attempting to blow up the English Parliament.

The mysterious Tower Ravens

The ravens in the Tower of London are considered a living legend. If the ravens should leave the Tower, then the kingdom is over – at least that’s what the legend suggests. That is why they are protected by royal decree and are cared for by the so-called Raven Master. Some of the ravens live up to 40 years in the Tower, at least six must be on site. Thus it was considered a bad omen when once a raven, Merlina, disappeared in 2021. Although Tower ravens are said to have a long-standing presence in the Tower dating back centuries, records suggest they are likely a 19th-century addition.

The Yeoman Warders

The Yeoman Warders, also known as Beefeaters, have been the royal bodyguards since at least 1509, but the guard has existed since the reign of Edward IV, 1461 to 1483. To become a Yeoman Warder, aspirants must have served at least 22 years in the army and achieved the rank of Warrant Officer. They are also responsible for the daily Key Ceremony to this day. Tours with the Beefeaters are also known for their British humor.

Is the Tower of London haunted?

Guests and nighttime workers like to report ghosts, including the appearance of Anne Boleyn in the church of St. Peter ad Vincula, i.e. her final resting place, but also in the White Tower, usually with her head under her arm. Henry VI, Lady Jane Grey and Margaret Pole, but also a bear, are other ghostly apparitions that people like to tell about.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tower of London accessible to disabled people?

Accompanying persons for people with disabilities are allowed into the Tower of London free of charge, assistance dogs are also allowed. Those with special needs can pick up a wristband at the entrance that signals staff that assistance may be needed. Due to the historic nature of the building, individual locations of the Tower of London are not adapted to be wheelchair friendly. The Tower of London offers a digital guide for people with mobility impairments at this link. Read more.

Is there a possibility to eat inside the Tower of London?

Yes, there are several cafes inside the attraction. Read more.

Can I take my luggage into the tower?

All bags will be searched before being allowed onto the premises. There are no lockers in the Tower. Backpacks are allowed, but must be carried at all times. Read more.

Am I allowed to take photos?

In general, photos may be taken in the Tower of London. However, this does not apply to all rooms and places. All places where photos are prohibited are marked with signs. Read more.

Is there an audio guide?

Yes, an audio guide can be booked for an additional £5, or in groups at £3.50 each per person. Read more.

Can I bypass queues?

There are no tickets that can be used to bypass waiting times. Read more.

Can I take my dog into the Tower of London?

No, only assistance dogs are allowed in the Tower. Read more.

General information

opening hours

From Tuesday to Saturday, the Tower is open from 9:00 am and on Sundays and Mondays from 10:00 am. The Tower is open every day from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm from 22 July to 1 September 2023, and during October half-term from 21 to 29 October 2023. On 5th September, the Tower is open from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. From 2nd September to 20th October (except 5th September), and 30-31st October, the Tower closes at 5:30 pm with the last admission at 4:00 pm. From 1st November to 23rd December, the Tower closes at 4:30 pm with the last admission at 3:30 pm. The Tower is closed from December 24 to 26 and open from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm from 27 to 31 December. The last Yeoman Warder tour is at 3:30 pm during the summer and at 2:30 pm before and after summer.

address

Tower of London
London, EC3N 4AB

website

Official site: https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london

tickets

Tickets are £34.80 for adults. Children aged 5 to 15 can enter the museum for £17.40 - there is no charge for children under 5. Groups of 15 or more pay £32.10 per person. Discounted tickets for full-time students and individuals with disabilities are available for £27.70; accompanying persons are allowed into the Tower free for the latter category. Tickets for Young Persons aged 16-17 are £17.40; Seniors aged 65 and over pay £27.70; those eligible for £1 entry must show proof of benefits.

how to get there

The closest London Underground station is Tower Hill (Circle and District lines), and alternative stations include Aldgate (Circle and Metropolitan lines), Aldgate East (District and Hammersmith & City lines), Tower Gateway (DLR services), Monument (District and Circle lines), and London Bridge (Jubilee and Northern lines). The nearest train stations are Fenchurch Street station (5 minutes walk away) and London Bridge (15 minutes walk). The tower is also served by bus numbers 15. 42. 78, 100, and RV1, and can be accessed via riverboat services to Tower Pier. There is no on-site parking facility, but disabled parking is available at Tower Hill Coach and Car Park, which is a 2-minute walk away.

Written byKlaus KainzAs a studied historian, Klaus is not only interested in historical sights, but also in their fascinating backgrounds. For TicketLens, he gets to the heart of the most interesting information about attractions and travel destinations.

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