Jonathan DubocThe Tower of London stands on the banks of the River Thames near Tower Bridge. This must-see monument is an ancient medieval fortress, a former royal residence and a former prison. In this article, we provide all the information you need to visit the Tower of London.
We visited the Tower in April 2022.
A little history
The construction and extension of the fortress
In the 1070s, William the Conqueror decided to build an enormous stone fortress in London to defend and proclaim his royal power. William wanted the Tower of London to dominate not only the skyline, but also the hearts and minds of defeated Londoners. The Tower of London took 20 years to build. The Freemasons arrived from Normandy, bringing with them stone from Caen in France. Nevertheless, a large part of the workforce came from the English.
Throughout its history, the Tower of London evolved to defend and control the nation. For example, Henry III (1216-1272) and Edward I (1272-1307) extended the fortress by adding ‘curtain’ (defensive) walls with a series of smaller towers. They also enlarged the moat.
A royal residence and a prison
In the Tower of London, medieval kings and queens lived in luxurious flats. These kings and queens spent time in the royal chapel, tended a menagerie of exotic animals and hosted foreign rulers at magnificent ceremonies. There was also once a royal palace located to the south of the White Tower.
For over 800 years, many people arrived at the Tower of London, unsure of their fate. Some stayed for just a few days, others for several years. During the Tudor era, the Tower of London was the most important prison in the country.
A bloody tower
Although the Tower of London was once a royal residence, it is still renowned for its stories of royal tragedy and death. During the Wars of the Roses, Henry VI was assassinated in 1471 while praying in the King’s private chapel.
Later, the children of his great rival (Edward IV) disappeared within its walls. In 1674, two skeletons were found in the Tower. The bones were re-examined in 1933 and proved to be those of two boys aged 12 and 10. They were exactly the same age as the children who had disappeared.
Some legends about the Tower of London
The Tower has been a tourist attraction since the 18th century, but tourist numbers increased dramatically in the 1800s. Visitors were fascinated by England’s turbulent and sometimes horrific history.
Ghost stories would haunt the tower:
- Anne Boleyn would stalk the site of her execution on Tower Green.
- Arbella Stuart, Elizabeth I’s cousin who starved to death while in custody for marrying without royal permission, is said to still frequent the Queen’s House.
- Yeomens’ guardians are said to report that a huge bear frightens visitors to death.
- Two ghosts (the missing children) are thought to be the “princes of the tower”.
However, one of the most famous legends concerns crows. The story goes that if they left the Tower of London, it and the kingdom would fall.
What to see and do at the Tower of London ?
During your visit, you will discover :
- The Crown Jewels: royal crowns are on display here. They represent the most powerful symbols of the British monarchy.
- Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula: this is a very small chapel.
- The White Tower: a dungeon at the heart of the Tower of London. In the White Tower, you can discover royal rides, as well as weapons and armour from Charles I, Henry III, etc.
- Battlements: here you can see how the Tower of London was defended.
- Medieval Palace: this used to be the residential area of the Tower of London where monarchs could live. It consists of three towers: St Thomas’s Tower, Wakefield Tower and Lanthorn Tower.
- Bloody Tower: this was a prison in the Tower of London. This tower is closely associated with the supposed murder of Edward V at the age of 12 and his younger brother Richard in 1483. Tradition has it that they were kept in these chambers on the orders of their uncle, Richard III.
- Torture at the Tower exhibition: at the bottom of Wakefield Tower, you can discover an exhibition on the methods of torture used in the Tower of London. Replicas of instruments used for torture are on display. Between 1500 and 1600, torture was used in the Tower of London. Among those tortured, 48 prisoners are known to have been tortured and interrogated. However, many others were placed in solitary confinement and subjected to psychological torture.
- Fusiliers Museum and Royal Mint exhibition: you can see twelve Victoria Cross medals, the uniform and bearskin of King George V.
Facilities and services
The Tower of London offers the following facilities and services:
- The New Armouries Café inside the Tower serves hot dishes, soups, sandwiches and salads. You can also have breakfast before your visit.
- The New Armouries Café is open on Sundays and Mondays from 10:00 to 17:00 and from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00. The Café opens at the same times as the Tower.
- The Café des Corbeaux serves cakes. The café opens on Mondays and Sundays from 11.30am to 5pm and from Tuesday to Saturday from 10.30am to 5pm.
- The jewellery kiosk is located next to the Jewel House. Here you can enjoy a snack and a fruit juice. The jewellery kiosk is open daily from 11.30am to 4.30pm, weather permitting.
- The ice cream trolleys are located inside the tower. They offer ice creams, as well as Devon’s award-winning luxury sorbets. Gluten-free and dairy-free ice creams are also available. The ice cream trolleys are open daily from 10.30am to 4.30pm, weather permitting.
- The Tower of London café is located on the Thames Quay. The café serves food and drinks. The café is open on Sundays and Mondays from 11:00 to 17:30, on Tuesdays to Thursdays from 10:00 to 17:30 and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 to 19:30. In the event of bad weather, the café may close earlier.
- The Tower has six shops. Information and opening times are available on the official Tower of London website. If you have a London Pass, you can save 10% in all shops.
- The Tower offers a BSL digital guide and wheelchair hire for people with reduced mobility.
How do I get to the Tower of London?
The Tower is located on the right bank of the River Thames near Tower Bridge. The Tower of London is very well served by public transport:
🚇 BY METRO
- Take the District or Circle line and stop at Tower Hill station. The Tower of London is a 5-minute walk away.
- Monument, Bank, Aldgate and Aldgate East London stations are 10-15 minutes from the Tower.
- London Bridge and Fenchurch Street stations are 10-15 minutes from the Tower.
🚉 BY TRAIN
- Liverpool Street station is 20 minutes from the Tower of London.
- London Charing Cross station is 25 minutes from the Tower of London.
🚌 BY BUS
Lines 15, 42, 78, 100, 343 and RV1 stop near the Tower of London. In addition, the main tourist buses pass close to the Tower of London.
🚲 BY BIKE
There are cycle racks behind the Tower of London shop. In addition, an east-west cycle route passes close to Tower Hill station.
⚠️ Bikes are not accepted in the pedestrianised areas of the Wharf and Tower Hill.
⛴️ BY BOAT
You can take a boat from Westminster or London Eye and stop at Tower Pier.
Opening hours of the Tower of London
Tower of London timetables depend on the period. As Tower of London timetables change frequently, we recommend that you check the timetables on the official Tower of London website.
⚠️ The Tower is closed from 24 to 26 December 2023, as well as on 1 January, 4 January and 5 January.
Timetable for the Tower in 2023
- From 1 November to 23 December 2023: Mondays and Sundays from 10.00 am to 4.30 pm and Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm. Last admission is at 2.30pm.
- From 27 December to 31 December 2023: daily from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm. Last admission is at 2.30pm.
Timetable for the Tower in 2024
- From 2 January to 9 February 2024: Mondays and Sundays from 10.00 am to 4.30 pm and Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm. Last admission is at 3.00 pm.
- From 10 February to 18 February 2024: daily from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm. Last admission is at 3.00 pm.
- From 19 February to 29 February 2024: Mondays and Sundays from 10.00 am to 4.30 pm and Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm. Last admission is at 3.00 pm.
- From 1 March to 28 March 2024, from 7 May to 24 May 2024 and from 2 September to 30 September 2024: Mondays and Sundays from 10.00 am to 5.30 pm and Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm. Last admission is at 3.30pm.
- From 29 March to 14 April 2024, from 25 May to 2 June 2024 and from 20 July to 1 August 2024: daily from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm. Last admission is at 3.30pm.
- From 15 April to 5 May 2024 and from 3 June to 19 July 2024: Mondays and Sundays from 10.00 am to 5.30 pm and Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm. Last admission is at 3.30pm.
- Monday 6 May 2024, from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm.
When is the best time to visit the Tower ?
The Tower is very popular all year round, and even more so in summer. It’s best to visit early in the morning, when it opens or at the end of the day, to avoid the crowds and make the experience more enjoyable. We recommend booking your ticket in advance of your visit.
Prices for the Tower of London
Individual ticket
The individual ticket includes access to the Tower of London and the exhibitions.
The prices of this ticket are as follows:
- Adult ticket (aged 16 to 64): €38.51 per person
- Child ticket (aged 5 to 15): €19.26 per person
- Senior ticket (over 65): €30.72 per person
- Child ticket: free
👉 Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance is available for a full refund.
Take a morning guided tour
You can visit the Tower on a morning guided tour, i.e. before visitors arrive. The tour is conducted in English and lasts around 75 minutes.
Ticket prices are as follows:
- Adult ticket (aged between 15 and 99): €82.62 per person
- Children’s ticket (aged 5 to 14): €76.89 per person
- Baby ticket (4 and under): free
👉 Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance is available for a full refund.
Visit the Tower of London with The London Pass
The London Pass is a pass that includes over 90 attractions in London. This pass is available for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10 days. As well as having a huge number of attractions, this pass can be a useful way of saving money. We were able to save £40 (around €46) per person on a 10-day pass. Not an insignificant saving, especially in London, where everything is expensive.
This pass includes a visit to the Tower.
The current pass prices are as follows:
- 1-day pass: €96.41 for adults and €56.24 for children.
- 2-day pass: €131.10 for adults and €73.60 for children.
- 3-day pass: €146.05 for adults and €85.10 for children.
- 4-day pass: €154.10 for adults and €96.60 for children.
- 5-day pass: €171.35 for adults and €102.35 for children.
- 6-day pass: €177.10 for adults and €108.10 for children.
- 7-day pass: €188.60 for adults and €113.85 for children.
- 10-day pass: €205.85 for adults and €119.60 for children.
Visit the Tower of London with the Go City Explorer Pass
The Go City Explorer Pass offers over 75 visits and attractions. Depending on the type of pass you choose, you can visit 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 attractions within 60 days.
The pass includes a visit to the Tower.
The current prices for this pass are:
- Pass for 2 attractions of your choice: €58.65 for adults and €44.85 for children.
- Pass for 3 attractions of your choice: €73.60 for adults and €56.35 for children.
- Pass for a choice of 4 attractions: €93.15 for adults and €62.10 for children.
- Pass for a choice of 5 attractions: €116.15 for adults and €79.35 for children.
- Pass for a choice of 6 attractions: €133.40 for adults and €90.85 for children.
- Pass for 7 attractions of your choice: €144.90 for adults and €102.35 for children.
👉 The adult rate applies to people aged between 16 and 99. The child rate applies to people aged between 5 and 15. People aged 4 or under do not need tickets.
👉 This pass benefits from free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Visit the Tower of London with the London City Card
This card includes entry to the Tower, entry to the London Eye, a Hop-on Hop-off cruise for 24 hours, an audio guided tour on your phone of London’s iconic landmarks, and 10% off your next booking of a place to visit.
The prices for this card are as follows:
- Adult ticket (aged 16 and over): €96.38 per person
- Senior ticket (over 65): €96.38 per person
- Youth ticket (aged between 5 and 15): €72.28 per person
- Child ticket (between 3 and 4 years old): €47.04 per person
- Infant ticket (0-2 years): free
How long does it take to visit the Tower of London?
We spent around 4 hours in the Tower of London, taking our time. We recommend spending between 3 and 4 hours visiting the Tower as a whole.
Where is the Tower of London?
The Tower is located in London EC3N 4AB, United-Kingdom. The queue to enter the Tower starts at the Tower Of London Welcome Centre. This entrance is on the west side of the Tower.
Is there a plan of the Tower ?
You can access the map of the Tower of London on the official website. You can also pick up a paper map on arrival at the Tower.
Is it possible to take photos?
It is possible to take photographs in the Tower, except in the Jewel House and the Martin Tower. Photos are permitted for non-commercial use only. Flash, tripods and selfie poles are not permitted.
Contact the Tower of London
There are several ways to contact the Tower of London depending on the subject of the enquiry:
- General enquiries: +44 (0)33 3320 6000
- Customer service: info@hrp.org.uk
👉 The Tower of London has an FAQ in which you will no doubt find an answer to your questions. We recommend that you take a look before contacting the Tower of London.
Our opinion of the Tower
We enjoyed walking around the Tower. We really liked The Crowns Jewels, where the royal jewels are on display and which you shouldn’t miss on your visit. The Tower of London is also close to Tower Bridge, so you can take photos of Tower Bridge from the ramparts.
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