You could wander in blind, get lost in 18 acres of towers and walls, and miss the best stories. Or you could read this How to Visit the Tower of London guide. We’ll show you how to dodge the crowds, decode the bloody lore, and emerge 3 hours later feeling like you’ve conquered Britain’s most storied stronghold. Our guides know these walls inside out, so here’s everything you need to plan your visit.
Your quick answer: Book a timed ticket or a tour in advance, take the Tube to Tower Hill on the District and Circle lines, and allow at least 3 hours for the Crown Jewels, the White Tower, and the battlements.
The Tower of London has worn many hats: royal palace, prison, armory, treasury, and even a zoo. Built by William the Conqueror in 1078, it quickly became a symbol of power and control. Today, it’s one of the best places in Britain to come face-to-face with medieval history, from the Crown Jewels to the stories of those who never made it out.
Let’s jump into the most important things you need to know about visiting the Tower of London.
So, how much does it cost to see the Tower of London? Here’s what you need to know:
Tower of London 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.
Every ticket covers the Crown Jewels, the White Tower, the battlements, the Bloody Tower, and a Yeoman Warder tour, subject to availability. Arrive within 30 minutes of your time slot, and know that there’s no re-entry once you leave.
Opening times: 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.
Last Yeoman Warder tour: 2:30 pm, included with your ticket.
Quieter times: Afternoons, after midday, see the smallest crowds.
Interesting Fact: The Crown Jewels on display aren’t the medieval originals. Oliver Cromwell had the old regalia destroyed, sold, or melted down, so Charles II commissioned an entirely new set once the monarchy was restored.
How to Get to the Tower of London: Tube, DLR, Bus & River Routes
The Tower of London stands on the north bank of the Thames, right where the ancient city meets the modern skyline. You’ll spot its iconic turrets just beside Tower Bridge, near the edge of London’s financial district.
Tube: Hop off at Tower Hill (District and Circle lines) and you’re five minutes from the gates. Step-free access available.
DLR: Tower Gateway station is a seven-minute walk, ideal if you’re coming from Canary Wharf.
Bus: Routes 15, 42, 78, 100, and 343 all stop near Tower Hill.
River: Boats from Westminster and the London Eye stop at Tower Pier, right below the fortress walls.
Taxi/Rideshare: Tell the driver “Tower of London main entrance.”
Interesting Fact: In 1381, rebels in the Peasants’ Revolt waltzed through these very gates and dragged out the king’s treasurer to be beheaded on Tower Hill. Even “impregnable” castles have bad days.
👉 Prefer someone else to handle logistics? Our London in a Day Tour bundles Westminster Abbey, the Changing of the Guard, a Thames cruise, and a guided visit to the Tower.
Visitor Tips for the Tower of London: Crowds, Bags & Battlements
To make the most of your visit, follow these tips.
Book ahead. This isn’t a place to just show up and hope for a ticket. Secure your ticket at least 1 week in advance, and even earlier in July and August.
Save the Crown Jewels for later. Queues shrink after lunch, unless you’re already inside early with a pre-opening ticket.
Leave the big bag at the hotel. Large bags, backpacks, and wheeled luggage aren’t allowed inside, and every bag goes through security.
Wear sturdy shoes. Cobbles, steep steps, and spiral staircases are everywhere, wheelchair access is limited, and strollers aren’t permitted in the White Tower.
Keep your camera handy. Photography is allowed almost everywhere except the Jewel House and the Chapel of St. John.
Don’t skip the riverside wall walk. The best bridge photos are up here. Wind whips off the Thames, though, so pack layers or freeze on the battlements.
Interesting Fact: The Kray twins, London’s 20th-century gangsters, were among the Tower’s last prisoners in 1952, jailed for dodging national service.
How Long Does a Tower of London Tour Take?
A guided tour typically lasts 1 to 1.5 hours, and you’ll get a great intro to the Tower’s darker tales. If you’re visiting without a guide, budget at least 3 hours. Guides can’t go inside the Jewel House or the White Tower, so after a tour, give yourself at least another hour to explore them on your own.
👉 Short on time? Our Tower of London Combo Tour covers the highlights in about 1.5 hours, plus a flexible Thames cruise ticket you can use whenever it suits you.
What to See Inside the Tower of London: Crown Jewels, Ravens & Royal Secrets
The Crown Jewels: Over 600 years of royal bling under lock and key, including the (supposedly cursed) Koh-i-Nûr diamond, worn only by queens. 👉 Learn:If a Crown Jewels tour is worth it.
Tower Green: Execution site of Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, and Lady Jane Grey. Look for the glass memorial.
The White Tower & Line of Kings: A Norman keep stuffed with Henry VIII’s XXL armor and the Line of Kings, the Tower’s oldest exhibit. Don’t miss the Chapel of St. John inside.
The Bloody Tower: Prison of Sir Walter Raleigh, who spent 13 years here, and the tragic Princes in the Tower.
The Ravens: Resident birds cared for by the Ravenmaster. Legend says the monarchy will fall if they fly away.
Tower Bridge Viewpoint: Snag that postcard shot from the battlements.
Spend 3 hours inside this nearly 1,000-year-old fortress, and you’ll leave with a full camera and a brain buzzing with treachery, jewels, and squawking ravens. Now that you know how to visit the Tower of London the smart way, book a tour or lock in timed tickets, wear decent shoes, and remember to look up: those arrow loops once meant life or death.
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