Behind armed guards and very thick glass, 23,578 gemstones are waiting for you, along with a queue that builds fast once the Tower of London opens its gates. Knowing how to visit the Crown Jewels the smart way means seeing the Imperial State Crown up close, not over a stranger’s shoulder. A moving walkway keeps you gliding past the main display, photos aren’t allowed, and guides can’t follow you inside, so a little planning goes a long way. We’ve walked our groups to the Jewel House door more times than we can count, so here’s everything you need to know.
Your quick answer: Book a Tower of London ticket in advance, since the Crown Jewels are included, or join a pre-opening tour to reach the Jewel House before the crowds, and allow about 30 minutes to 1 hour inside.
Only one piece of England’s medieval coronation regalia survived the English Civil War: the Coronation Spoon. In 1649, the rest was destroyed, and an entirely new set was made for Charles II’s coronation in 1661, the same year the jewels began their long run on display at the Tower of London. Today, it’s still a working collection kept under armed guard in the Jewel House, so watch for the “in use” signs when a piece is out for a state occasion like the State Opening of Parliament.
Let’s jump into the most important things you need to know about visiting the Crown Jewels.
So, how much does it cost to see the Crown Jewels? Here’s what you need to know:
There’s no separate Crown Jewels ticket. Your Tower of London ticket covers the Jewel House, plus the White Tower, the battlements, and a Yeoman Warder tour, subject to availability.
Crown Jewels Ticket Prices:
Adult: £38.00
Child (5 to 15): £19.00, and children must be accompanied by an adult
Under 5: Free, no ticket required
Historic Royal Palaces Members: Free
Concessions: Reduced tickets are available for ages 16 to 17, 65+, full-time students, and disabled visitors, and each disabled visitor can bring one carer or companion free.
Donation: Prices exclude the optional 10% donation offered at checkout.
Tickets are timed, so arrive within 30 minutes of your slot. Once you leave the Tower, there’s no re-entry.
Opening times: Tower of London hours are set date by date, so check the official site before you go. In late October, for example, the Tower is open 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Last entry: 3:00 pm on those dates.
Time inside: Allow about 1 hour for the Jewel House.
Quietest times: Afternoons after midday, unless you’re on a pre-opening tour, which puts you at the Jewel House as it opens.
Interesting Fact: Look for the Commonwealth coin on loan from the British Museum. It shows how the melted gold of medieval crowns was put back to work after the Civil War.
How to Get to the Crown Jewels: Tube, DLR, Bus & River Routes
The Crown Jewels sit inside the Jewel House at the Tower of London, on the north bank of the Thames right beside Tower Bridge. Getting to them means getting to the Tower itself, which stands at the edge of London’s financial district and is easy to reach by Tube, DLR, bus, or boat.
Tube: Tower Hill station (District and Circle lines) is about five minutes on foot from the entrance, with step-free access.
DLR: Tower Gateway is roughly a seven-minute walk, handy if you’re staying near Canary Wharf.
Bus: Routes 15, 42, 78, 100, and 343 stop near Tower Hill.
River: Boats from Westminster and the London Eye pull up at Tower Pier, just below the walls.
Taxi/Rideshare: Ask for the Tower of London main entrance.
👉 Rather leave the logistics to us? Our London in a Day Tour saves the Crown Jewels for the grand finale, after Westminster Abbey, the Changing of the Guard, and a Thames cruise.
Visitor Tips for the Crown Jewels: Queues, Photos & Timing
A little know-how makes all the difference in the Jewel House.
Book ahead. Secure your Tower ticket or tour at least 1 week in advance, and even earlier in July and August.
Go first, or go late. A pre-opening tour puts you at the Jewel House the moment it opens. Without one, afternoons after midday are the quietest time to visit.
Hear the stories before you step inside. Guides aren’t allowed in the Jewel House, and a moving walkway keeps the line flowing past the main display, so know what you’re looking for before you go in.
Keep the camera in your pocket. Photography isn’t allowed anywhere in the Jewel House, so soak it in instead.
Pack light. Large bags, backpacks, and wheeled luggage aren’t permitted inside the Tower, and every bag goes through security.
Interesting Fact: Queen Camilla didn’t get a brand-new crown for the 2023 coronation. Queen Mary’s Crown, made by Garrard for the 1911 coronation, was modified for her instead.
How Long Does a Crown Jewels Tour Take?
Most Crown Jewels tours run 1 to 2 hours, with your guide sharing the stories at the Jewel House entrance before you head inside on your own. If you’re visiting without a tour, allow about 1 hour for the Jewel House itself, and longer if there’s a queue. To see the rest of the Tower of London too, from the White Tower to Tower Green, budget at least 3 hours in total.
👉 Short on time? Our Express Tower of London Tour covers the Tower’s best stories in 1.5 hours, then leaves you free to see the Crown Jewels at your own pace.
What to See at the Crown Jewels: Crowns, Diamonds & Coronation Treasures
Wondering what to see at the Crown Jewels? Here are the pieces worth slowing down for, in the order you’ll meet them.
Historic State Crown Frames: Your visit opens with the empty frames of crowns worn by George I, George IV, and Queen Victoria, a clue to how famous stones like the Black Prince’s Ruby passed from crown to crown.
The Coronation Spoon: The only piece of the medieval regalia that survived the Civil War, so it’s the oldest object in the collection.
St Edward’s Crown: Used at the exact moment of crowning, most recently for King Charles III.
The Imperial State Crown & Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross: These two hold the largest stones cut from the Cullinan, the biggest gem-quality uncut diamond ever found. The King wore the crown for his procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace.
The Koh-i-Noor: Set in the Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, this diamond passed through the hands of Mughal emperors, Shahs of Iran, Emirs of Afghanistan, and Sikh Maharajas before reaching London.
Interesting Fact: Look for the hammer and knife used to make the first cuts to the Cullinan diamond. Found in South Africa in 1905, the 3,106-carat stone was split into 9 major stones and 96 smaller brilliants.
👉 Want royal stories from the people who guard them? Our Beefeater Meet & Greet Tour pairs the Crown Jewels with 15 minutes with a Yeoman Warder outside the King’s House, an area closed to regular visitors.
SUSHISAMBA| ££££ | Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian fusion on the 38th floor of Heron Tower, with views over the Tower of London and the Thames. Yes, there’s yellowtail in a taquito.
The Duck & Waffle| £££ | Two floors above SUSHISAMBA, the namesake dish pairs duck with a waffle, a fried duck egg, and mustard maple syrup.
De Vine| £ | A no-frills café on Vine Street, a short walk from the Tower, where locals tuck into big English breakfasts and chicken curry. Go early, since it’s a breakfast and lunch spot.
A moving walkway keeps things brisk past the main display, so how and when you visit the Crown Jewels really matters. Now that you know how to visit the Crown Jewels the smart way, book your Tower ticket early, leave the camera in your pocket, and read up on the Cullinan before you go. For first-of-the-day access to the Jewel House, nothing beats a pre-opening tour.
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