Quick Facts
The Tower of London is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an 11th-century royal fortress, prison and treasury on the north bank of the Thames. Today it holds the Crown Jewels, the legendary ravens, and 1,000 years of bloody royal history. One of London's top three paid attractions.
- Address: Tower of London, EC3N 4AB
- Nearest Tube: Tower Hill (5 min walk)
- Open: 9am-5:30pm summer / 9am-4:30pm winter (last admission 1 hour earlier)
- Allow: 3-4 hours
What to See
- Crown Jewels in the Jewel House — over 23,000 stones including the Imperial State Crown
- White Tower — the original 1078 Norman keep, plus the Royal Armouries
- Tower Green — execution site of Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey and Catherine Howard
- Bloody Tower — Walter Raleigh's prison and the Princes in the Tower mystery
- Ravens — seven royal ravens; legend says the Crown falls if they leave
- Medieval Palace — recreated royal apartments of Edward I
Tickets & Times
| Ticket | Price (online) | Price (gate) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (16+) | £33.60 | £36.50 |
| Child (5-15) | £16.80 | £18.30 |
| Family (2 adults + 3 children) | £86.30 | £93.50 |
| Under 5 | Free | Free |
💡 Money saver: Book on the official HRP website (hrp.org.uk) for the £3 advance discount. Avoid resale sites — they charge 20-40% extra for the same ticket.
Yeoman Warder Tours
The Yeoman Warders ("Beefeaters") are former senior NCOs of the British Armed Forces. Their free 60-minute tours are the highlight of any visit — scripted, dramatic, occasionally morbid storytelling about Tudor executions, royal scandals and the secrets of the Tower.
- First tour: 10am · Last tour: 2:30pm winter / 3:30pm summer
- No booking — just turn up at the start point near the Middle Tower
- Tours run every 30 minutes
- Bad weather can cancel; check on arrival
Tips for Visiting
- Arrive at 9am opening to beat tour groups (Crown Jewels queue exceeds 45 min by 10am summer)
- Tube is the only sensible option — Tower Hill or Tower Gateway DLR
- Combine with Tower Bridge walk (free) and Borough Market lunch nearby
- No re-entry — don't leave for lunch and come back
- Wear comfortable shoes — lots of stone steps and uneven paving
- Photography allowed inside except in the Crown Jewels exhibit
🎟️ Combined tickets: The London Pass (£89/day adult) includes the Tower plus 80+ other attractions. Worth it only for 3+ major sights per day.