Tower of London
Tower of London
4.5
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksArchitectural Buildings
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
The Tower of London is a 1,000 year old castle that protects the Crown Jewels. Throughout its long history, it was a secure fortress, a royal palace, and an infamous prison. Kings and queens demonstrated their power from here, shaping society and influencing our world. Today within the walls of this mighty fortress you can see the spectacular displays of the Jewel House, the Tower’s Mint and the Royal Armouries (including the armours of Henry VIII). Meet the Yeoman Warders, who have guarded this castle for centuries, and the Tower’s symbolic guardians – the Ravens.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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from C$61.89
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The area
Neighbourhood: City of London
From its ancient past as a Roman trading outpost to its 21st century status as the wealthiest square mile in the world, the financial district known simply as “The City” is one of London's most historic and fascinating neighbourhoods. Here high rise office towers such as Norman Foster’s Gherkin mingle with Roman ruins and architectural marvels from virtually every era in between, including Christopher Wren's glorious St.Paul's Cathedral, and John Soane's dauntingly classicist Bank of England. This neighbourhood is also home to some of the finest restaurants and plushest hotels in Europe, in addition to an assortment of of watering holes, upscale shops, and Tube stations. During the week, the City is abuzz with white collar workers going about their business; the weekend sees this area turn into a quiet haven for sightseers.
How to get there
- Tower Hill • 3 min walk
- Tower Gateway • 4 min walk
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See what travellers are saying
- Lisa P42 contributionsRecommend getting in earlyWe visited the Tower of London on a cold (cold by Australian definition) Monday morning during a school term. We arrived at 9.15am to line up for a 10am opening. Lucky we did because the line was right across the square by 9.30am. Tickets were scanned and maps handed out while we were waiting for the gates to open which made entry quite quick. We opted for an audio self guided tour which did add value and was worth it. We headed straight to the Crown Jewels upon entry. I don’t think my expectations were in check because I expected more from the Jewels. There wasn’t as much on display as I expected, which was more tiaras and jewellery. It took us a while to get through the Crown Jewels as there was lots of people and it was dark. By the time we got out the line to get in filled the stanchions. The actual Tower itself was interesting, particularly where prisoners were kept; the armoury was also quite interesting and there was much more on display than just armour; the towers with the Beefeater display which included insights into their training and background was worth a visit; and the talks around the place with the Beefeaters also looked quite engaging. Unfortunately we only had two hours here as we had another tour to get to. Would recommend at least 3-4 hours on a warm day.Visited June 2023Travelled with friendsWritten June 8, 2023
- Kristen C3 contributionsYeoman Darren is the best!We did the 'basic entrance with Beefeater tour' (which I didn't see in the drop-down menu), and it was fantastic! Yeoman Darren (wish I knew his last name) was so entertaining and knowledgeable. We were there with our two kids (11 and 14) and they, too, were riveted by his deep knowledge of British history.Visited May 2023Written June 8, 2023
- mmescorpioBerkley, Massachusetts10 contributionsTerrific TowerThe tower was unlike anything I have seen before! I could spend all day simply walking around. The tour guide was comical but also gave very interesting information as well as providing background about the touchy subjects and events that occurred there. It took us around 3 hours or so and that was without waiting in the humongous line to see the crown jewels. There is definitely stuff I didn't see and would absolutely go back and spend the full day there!Visited June 2023Travelled with familyWritten June 9, 2023
- WrldTrvlrLdnLondon, United Kingdom10 contributionsOozing historyMy suggestion is go early to avoid the lines. It's fun and informative specially chatting to people working there. Beefeater AJ was a delight and Warden Luis was just so knowledgeable. They really make the history come alive.Visited June 2023Travelled soloWritten June 23, 2023
- Gil L405 contributionsVery interesting!So much to see here in addition to the Crown Jewels! Really enjoyed walking around and learning more about the history. Definitely get there early - we went to see the Crown Jewels first with a minimal line but by the time we came out of the exhibit the line was super-long! We had lunch in the museum cafe - it was very crowded but the food was better than expected.Visited June 2023Written June 25, 2023
- melissaandjaredMelbourne, Australia114 contributionsGood value, amazing history and beautifully preservedWe got there half an hour after opening which wasn't busy but I recommend arriving 10 minutes before as you will beat the crowds and the many school groups. We got a head set for the self tour but a private tour guide would have been more enriching. Go to see the crown jewels 1st as the queue gets quite big quickly. Lots of stairs so if mobility is a problem your access to many areas will be limited. Some areas are quite small and I feel they need better crowd control in those spots but overall it is a very big place so you mostly move freely. As expected, the food and drinks inside are expensive (a latte made by an automatic coffee machine is £5) Good value 4 hours overall. Absolutely amazingVisited June 2023Travelled with familyWritten June 28, 2023
- Laura JSheffield, United Kingdom227 contributionsJust WowFirst of all, just wow. This was a fantastic day out in London and was well worth the price. We got there early with little to no queue to get into the place which was ideal. You would definitely need the whole day to properly go and look at all the magnificent displays and buildings on offer here. Unfortunately, we decided not to have a yeoman warder tour, which was completely a wrong choice as I have heard their tours are outstanding, so I would recommend waiting for the tour guide and going round with them before venturing off and finding your way around. Once you step into the buildings, it takes you straight back through the past, they are surprisingly well kept and very well preserved. The crown jewels were an absolute marvel to look at, though the line was long it moved very quickly. Overall, a spectacular day and will be coming again to have a proper tour.Visited August 2022Written July 9, 2023
- Jason SMelbourne, Australia2,064 contributionsA Tower with HistoryWonderful place to visit, the history and stories related to the Tower of London is staggering. Like most popular attractions get there as early as possible. Especially if you want to see the Crown Jewels as line gets crazy quickly. Would highly recommend taking a guided tour to start with then explore at own leisure after that. Certainly the must see attraction in London.Visited January 2023Travelled soloWritten July 12, 2023
- shar0n4088 contributionsAbsolutely Awesome!We went to the Tower of London with a group of teenagers, had a great time. We ate at the cafe, excellent food as well. The highlight was the Ceremony of the Keys, fantastic experience one we will never forget!Visited May 2023Written July 14, 2023
- somLund, Sweden59 contributionsFascinating historyOur party of 2 adults and 2 teenagers spent 5.5 hrs here exploring all buildings. The Yeoman’s talks were amusing and informative inspiring us to research English history in more detail. Id like to say the highlight was the crown jewels but I think for me, it is the history- Henry VIII, Richard III, Lady Jane Grey and the royal beasts.Visited July 2023Written July 22, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Pratham D
Dublin, CA2 contributions
The area is well maintained and there are a lot of staff there to answer your questions. The audio tour is not necessary to have a good time, but I would recommend it. Try to go early in the day as it gets crowded really quick. It is a good idea to start with the crown jewel
Written June 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorna D
London, UK8 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Disappointing. First the positive. The tour given by the Beefeater was very good although hard to hear due to such a large crowd and us being at the back. Why don't they use mics? Now the negatives. The prices. Entrance £35 - extortion. A slice of cake in the cafe was £7. I felt embarrassed that foreign visitors are being ripped off so badly. They also have voluntary donation points throughout the attraction. After paying £35 who puts into these? I'm baffled! The attraction itself is actually really boring. The presentation of all the info is as dull as ditchwater and very male in feel. I can't see what women or children would possibly find interesting. It's all armour, swords, cannons... It could be so much better and evocative of everything that's happened there in the past 1000 years. They could recreate the torture chamber in the basement. Or create mock ups of famous prisoners in their cells awaiting execution. This would have to be done very well in order for it not to feel too London Dungeon but I'm sure it's possible. I came out of the whole experience feeling none the wiser about what the Tower actually FELT like in the past. All the info is just on boring boards. They really need someone with a bit of imagination to breathe some life into the exhibits and to make them more about the PEOPLE in the past than the military hardware. If you're REALLY into armour you'll bloody love it though!
Written June 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Quest45291113631
1 contribution
Jun 2024 • Family
We loved the Tower of London! Yeoman Warder Scott Kelly was a fantastic guide. We loved his insights to the history of the Tower and he was very entertaining. The way he got the crowd engaged made me feel like I was traveling back in time!
Written June 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
davdor
Peterborough, UK222 contributions
Because we traveled to London by train we downloaded a two for one voucher which made the visit extra good value. The Beefeater Chris was very good and gave us lots of history and anecdotes. We spent 4-5 hrs looking around the many parts of the Tower and were very impressed with the many exhibits but were very tired at the end. There are also cafes and shops on site and the whole visit was a joy and we learnt lots
Written June 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sophieptravelreviews
United States24 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
The rest of my party had interest in the Tower of London, so we scheduled it into our trip. I did not know what to expect, but wow, I was surprised! It was the best tour we took during our stay in the city. Upon arrival, we learned about the guided tours and joined one on the spot. While waiting, we explored the Tower's Mint, close to the entrance, which displayed the process of coin making. There are interactive components placed throughout this section for all to enjoy. The tour group was quite large, but the Beefeater projected well so there was minimal trouble hearing. The tour contains a fair amount of information, and much of it is heavy due to the grim events that have taken place at the tower, but do not let that discourage you from joining one. The guides do their best to include lighthearted elements and keep it entertaining. Once the tour ended, visitors were able to explore the site on their own. I highly recommend walking through the Beauchamp Tower. It has a narrow, winding staircase leading to the higher level, but at the top you'll find graffiti carved by a multitude of prisoners mainly during the 16th and 17th centuries. While the Crown Jewels and ceremonial objects were magnificent to see, learning about the extensive rich history made the Tower of London a truly valuable visit!
A few notes: Not sure the exact length of the tour but at least an hour. Tours commence every 30 minutes. No photography in the church or when viewing the jewels.
A few notes: Not sure the exact length of the tour but at least an hour. Tours commence every 30 minutes. No photography in the church or when viewing the jewels.
Written June 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diana G
1 contribution
May 2024 • Family
Very interesting tour, led by personable and amusing Beefeater. Lots of historical things to see. Slightly disappointed with the Crown Jewels, guess I was expecting to see all of the current items, not just things worn by prior queens/kings, and serving dishes. Saw the Koh-i-Noor diamond twice, so obviously one or both of them were a copy.
Written June 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie A
Boston, MA156 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Greatly looked forward to visiting the famous Tower of London. Such a historic place which the White Tower built in/ around 1066. The line for the Crown Jewels can get very long (wait times of an hour or more). NO pictures are allowed of the crown jewels we were told for 'copywrite reasons and security'. (Interestingly you can see pictures of them online so know so sure about that part of the reasoning. Unfortunately they don't sell post cards etc of them either. The Beefeaters do their best to share information and answer questions. The ravens can easily been seen around the area and their cages are noticeable. The site thought for Anne Boleyn's execution is easily marked. The chapel is small and charming. You can still see part of the original Roman wall on one side of the White Tower. Walking around the tower wall can be difficult if crowds are high. We high a day when it seemed the local schools were talking a field trip to the tower so we were constantly having to watch out for big groups of kids. It is something else to imagine all the historical events and people that were at the Tower and you are standing in that same place.
This review is just about the Tower itself. We did book our visit with City Wanders Tour group so you can look there for a review on them.
This review is just about the Tower itself. We did book our visit with City Wanders Tour group so you can look there for a review on them.
Written June 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janine N
1 contribution
Jun 2024 • Family
We had the most amazing day at the Tower yesterday, Beefy409 your tour was just out of this 🌎, me and my family will never for get the way you looked after us. The Crown Jewels looked dazzling. Thank you again will definitely visit again and would highly recommend your tour to everyone xxx
Written June 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth A
22 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
This is a very excellent tour. Yeoman Darrell Hardy was wonderful. He was funny and engaging and very well versed on everything about the tour. He made the experience memorable and fun. It was a very large group but we had no trouble hearing him and he was an expert at making everyone feel like they were part of the experience. I highly recommend this on your visit to London.
Written June 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
skigirl6811
Perth, Australia6 contributions
Very entwining and informative. Loved it. The guy taking the tour was entertaining and we loved seeing the Crown Jewels
Written June 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I had a question about your visit to the Tower of London. You mentioned going on a beefeater tour. Did you Pay for that in addition to your ticket price or is it just something you get in line for once you are inside?
Nathan&Gemma
London, UK165 contributions
Hello, the beefeater tour is free and included with the ticket. I think there is a more thorough tour where you do pay extra. There’s a small queue as you enter the gate.
Roberta R
6 contributions
l'audioguida è in tutte le lingue?
Matteo Matt
Legnago, Italy115 contributions
Molte lingue tra cui l’italiano.
Can my grandson use his blue Peter badge accompanied by us
Merrionman
Dublin, Ireland82 contributions
I'm sorry but I don't know.
sunshinesurf
Sheffield24 contributions
We are visiting the Tower of London tomorrow. Wanted to take a back pack as travelling a long way on train for the day, are these allowed in or is there a cloakroom or lockers to leave your bag please?
Simon G
Jersey, UK291 contributions
Hi, I had a rucksack myself & there was no problem! They did have a bag check there with security at the main door, but I was just waved through - no worries…
Izzy O
Reading, UK
Hello, I am planning on visiting the Crown Jewels next year between February - April. Do you know when the Orb etc will be taken off of display for the kings coronation? Many thanks
Glenn Corbett
Kitchener, Canada57 contributions
Like already stated you’ll have to check venue. My guess they may have copy for display purposes
Karen B
Thousand Oaks, CA2 contributions
Will all the jewels still be on display from 9/20/22 on? Or are they in use for any of the ceremonies or the funeral?
Dr Tony M
London, UK924 contributions
Some are currently being used for the Queens funeral, a spectra, orb and crown are with the Queens coffin today. The remainder are still in the tower.
I hope this helps when your there join one of the beefeaters tours, free and very good
Hello! We are looking for tickets for the Superbloom event at the Tower of London June 11, 12 or 14. Everywhere I look it says "sold out". Does anyone know of a source for tickets?
Philip H
2 contributions
Not sure where to get a ticket but I hear it is a flop already as the flowers have failed.
Michaela N
Leeds, UK7 contributions
Yeoman tours - do you book those separately or can you just join when you arrive?
We have pre-booked entry tickets
Claudia M
Laguna Hills, CA6 contributions
They were offered with our tour; several members of our tour group did the tour. We personally chose to walk through and look in awe at everything.
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