The Tower of London is one of the jewels in the UK’s heritage crown and also the Crown Jewels are kept there! The Tower’s fascinating and macabre history as a royal residence, fortress, royal treasury, and prison has many mysterious twists and will be a lot easier to understand with this visit guide put together by me, a London expert. I’ll provide information on how to get tickets, location, admission, and also a brief history. In fact, you’ll have all the info you need for a solo visit or our recommended guided tour of the Tower of London.
Pro Tip: You might want to bookmark this article in your browser so you can circle back to it when you are near or in the Tower of London.
What We’ll Cover
- Opening Hours & Tickets/Admissions
- How Long to Budget for your Visit
- What to See in the Tower of London
- Tour Options
- Places to Eat Nearby
- Tower of London Facts & History
Tower of London Opening Hours and Admissions
Opening Hours
The Tower of London is open seven days a week but admission times change according to the season. During the summer season (01 March – 30 October) the visiting hours are 0900-1730 from Tuesday to Saturday. Mondays and Sundays it’s 10.00-1730. Final entry is 16.30.
Admission Price
It’s priced at £29.90 for Adults but conditions such as Peak, Off-peak or Concessions must also be considered. There are also family deals.
Adult – £29.90 Peak | £28.90 Off-peak.
Child (Aged 5-15) – £14.90 Peak | £14.40 Off-peak.
Child (Under 5) – Free entry.
Concession – £24.00 Peak | £23.20 Off-peak.
Family Saver 1 – (One adult with a maximum of three children) – £52.20 Peak | £50.50 Off-peak.
Family Saver 2 – (Two adults with a maximum of three children) – £82.10 Peak | £79.40 Off-peak.
Did you know most executioners were drunks and often missed their target for better or worse? Would you rather have an axe to your shoulder or neck? Learn more gruesome facts on a Tower of London tour!
How Much Time to Budget for the Tower of London
Short Answer: 3 hours 30 minutes
Firstly, it has many ticket offices so there aren’t usually any queues. But there are occasions when you can spend 10-15 minutes in the queue. Secondly, there may be more queues inside for attractions that are particularly popular, such as the Crown Jewels – especially during peak hours. However, if you buy your tickets online this can save you both time and money.
A guided tour by an expert takes 45 minutes. If you do not require a guide your visit will take three hours minimum. This will give you time to see everything in the Tower in a comfortable and leisurely way. But be aware, if you’re traveling with young children it may take longer than three hours as they are more likely to linger on attractions or require additional attention. Similarly, those with a love of history and a desire to examine the Tower’s items more closely are unlikely to see everything within three hours and may need as much as five.
What to See in the Tower of London
- The Crown Jewels
- Tower Green
- The White Tower & the Line Of Kings
- The Bloody Tower
- The Medieval Palace
- Armoury in Action
- The Torture at the Tower Exhibtion
- The Fusilier’s Museum
- The Ravens
Tower of London Tour Options
If you are planning a trip to the Tower of London, you should certainly consider our guided tours. We have an expert guide who can walk you through the Tower’s magnificent history and you can learn about the British kings and queens who lived here and were executed here! Also, many enemies of the state and crown were imprisoned here and the history lesson about them will be easier to digest under our expert guidance.
Did you know most executioners were drunks and often missed their target for better or worse? Would you rather have an axe to your shoulder or neck? Learn more gruesome facts on a Tower of London tour!
Places To Eat Nearby
The Tower has its own restaurant which is one minute away, if you are seeking a dining option with a relevant connection. But if you want to get out and about then we have listed some alternatives below. Also, why not have a read of 10 places to eat near the Tower of London.
New Armouries Restaurant
This is the Tower’s official eatery and both hot and cold refreshments are sold here, including snack options and more substantial meals. Of course, fish and chips but also soups, sandwiches, salads and sweets.
Address: Tower Hill, London EC3N 4AB | Hours: Mon-Sun, 9.30 am – 5.00 pm | €€
Cento Alla Torre
This restaurant is affordable yet has noticeable sophistication. They serve Italian cuisine such as homemade pasta and meat and vegetarian dishes with an artisanal touch.
Address: 100 Minories, Tower Hill, EC3N 1LA | Hours: Mon-Sun 8.00 am – 10.00 pm.| €€€
La Dame De Pic
This is a classy French restaurant run by the world’s No.1 female Michelin chef Anne-Sophie Pic. It has 2 Michelin stars and although expensive, it’s a worthy choice after the comparative grandeur of your Tower of London visit.
Address: 10 Trinity Square, London, EC3N 4AJ. | Hours: 6.30 pm – 9.00 pm, Wed-Sat, 12 noon to 1.30 pm, Sat | €€€€
Tower of London Facts & History
- The Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror around 1070 AD, a few years after his warriors from Normandy, France conquered Britain.
- At first, it consisted of just the White Tower but Henry III (1216-72) and Edward I (1272-1307) added substantial new structures.
- It is one of the few remaining European 11th century fortress palaces.
- The monarchs’ and the state’s enemies were imprisoned and executed here.
- Two English queens, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard were executed here on the orders of Henry VIII who was constantly seeking to replace his wives and remarry.
- England’s kings and queens lived here but also kept their treasures and money here knowing this fortified palace was the safest place in Britain.
- The Beefeaters who guard the Tower wear an easily recognisable red uniform. They were once the monarch’s official bodyguards known as the Yeoman of the Guard or Yeoman Warders. They are known as Beefeaters because the king permitted them to eat as much beef from his table as they could manage.
- Such are the high levels of security, the Tower was once regarded as impossible to enter illegally. But in 1381, protestors walked in through the gates during the Peasant Rebellion.
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