Ravens, beefeaters and bloody history – it’s easy to see why the Tower of London is such an iconic building, which attracts nearly three million visitors per year.
Officially called, Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, this historic castle is a must-visit when in London.
Here are the best tips for visiting the Tower of London to help ensure that you make the most of your trip.
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Table of Contents
Getting to the Tower of London
London Underground and Trains – It’s a 5 minute walk from the Tower Hill Underground station. This is served by the District and Circle lines.
Other stations that are within a 10-15 minute walk from the Tower of London include Monument, Bank, Aldgate, Aldgate East London Underground, London Bridge and Fenchurch Street stations.
Sightseeing Bus Tour – You can also take the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour which stops right at the Tower of London.
River Boat – You can also arrive here by river boat. Tower Pier is the closest river boat stop.
Buses – London’s public bus routes 15, 42, 78, 100, 343 and RV1 stop nearby the Tower of London.
Buy your tickets in advance
The Tower of London is the #1 thing to do in the city, according to TripAdvisor. Due to its popularity, you’ll want to make sure to buy your tickets in advance.
You don’t want to waste your vacation time waiting in a long line, especially if you’re visiting during peak season (June, July, August, Easter, Christmas, and bank holidays).
You can purchase your tickets through GetYourGuide. They offer free cancelation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund just in case your plans change.
Alternatively, if you’re planning to visit a few of London’s paid attractions, consider buying the London Pass or the London Explorer Pass, which offers free entry to the Tower.
The London Pass is a pre-paid sightseeing card which gives you FREE fast-track entry to the city’s top tourist attractions, including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour.
Plus, you can use the London Pass to get free entry to 80+ other attractions, museums and tours in the city.
My husband and I used the London Pass for our summer trip to London. It was SO easy and convenient for sightseeing.
You just have to purchase your pass online, then you’ll show your pass on your phone when entering the Tower of London. There’s no need to wait in long ticket lines, just head to the ticket holder entrance and you’re ready to enjoy!
PRO TIP: Buy the pass online to save extra money off the retail price. To buy the London Pass, click here to go to the official website.
How to get your London Pass:
Step 1: Choose which pass duration you want to buy (1, 2, 3, 6, or 10 day). You can click here to purchase your London Pass from the official website.
Step 2: Download your mobile pass instantly using the London Pass App. If you prefer a physical pass, simply opt for delivery (they deliver worldwide) or collect on arrival in London.
Step 3: You now have FREE access to any of the 80+ top London attractions included for the duration of your pass. You can activate your pass anytime within 12 months from the date of purchase.
Step 4: Download the free guide book, which is included with your purchase. Use this book to help you easily plan your itinerary.
Skip the line
When visiting the Tower of London, there are two lines:
- A line for those who need to purchase tickets.
- A line for those who have already purchased tickets.
The second line is shorter and will guarantee quicker entry into the Tower of London.
You can purchase your tickets online or use a tourism pass, such as the London Pass or London Explorer Pass.
And if you really want to skip the line and avoid the crowds, consider booking an early access tour.
With an early access tour, you can enter the Tower of London before the long queues to see the Crown of Jewels.
One of the legendary Beefeater guardsmen will take you around to explore the palace so you can learn the history of the Yeoman Warders, the Royal Castle, and other landmarks.
Get there early to avoid the crowds
The best time to visit the Tower of London is in the early morning, just after it opens, to avoid long lines and crowds.
Summer and bank holidays will be busy, but you can still beat the crowds by visiting first thing in the morning on a weekday. Weekends are always busier than visiting on a weekday.
If you can, avoid visiting during Easter, Christmas, and school holidays.
Visiting in the fall – I went to the Tower of London when it first opened on a weekday morning in November and it felt like we had the place to ourselves.
We headed straight to the Crown Jewels and were the only people inside (other than the security guards). I felt like a VIP!
Visiting in the summer – We arrived 15 minutes before the Tower of London opened on a weekday morning. There was already a line up outside the main entrance for people who have already purchased their tickets.
But once the Tower opened, it only took a few minutes to get inside. Once inside, it was quiet for the first couple of hours before school tours and more people arrived.
This is why it’s SO important to buy your tickets before you visit. You can grab your tickets here or purchase the London Pass or London Explorer Pass.
There are two entrances
Another way to skip the lines is by knowing your entrances. There are two main ways to enter the Tower of London: West Gate Entrance or the Middle Drawbridge Entrance.
The West Gate Entrance is the main entrance, opposite the Tower Shop. It’s often the most crowded because on-site tickets are available only at this entrance.
The Middle Drawbridge Entrance is where groups enter, but if you have pre-booked your tickets online or you’re using the London Pass, you can enter through here.
No matter which entrance you choose, everyone will have to go through a security check where bags will be searched on entry. Also keep in mind that luggage and large bags are not allowed.
Grab a free map at the entrance
The Tower of London is quite large and there are many interiors, walkways, buildings, and exhibitions to explore once you’re inside.
I highly recommend grabbing a free map at the entrance so you can easily navigate where you want to go and to make sure you don’t miss anything.
Try to visit on a weekday
The weekend is the busiest time to visit the Tower of London. If you can, try to visit on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds.
You’ll have a more enjoyable visit without having to wait in a long line or pushing through crowds to see the Crown of Jewels.
Head to the Crown of Jewels first
The Crown of Jewels is the most popular thing to see at the Tower of London. No matter what time of year you visit, make sure to head there as your first stop.
Early morning or lunchtime are usually the quietest times to visit the Crown of Jewels.
During peak travel season, it’s not unusual to wait in line for up to an hour to see the collection since they limit the amount of people that can be in the exhibit at any time.
What is the Crown of Jewels?
These are the nation’s most precious treasures which are under armed guard in the Jewel House inside the Tower of London.
Here you can see the sacred objects used in the coronation ceremony, the Imperial State Crown, the Black Prince’s Ruby, the Koh-i-Noor diamond, the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross, and many more items.
Once inside the Jewel House, there are no photos allowed and the lighting is low. But you’ll still be able to see other people around.
The first section of the display shows close-ups of the crown jewels. There second section has a moving walkway along the side of the main display of the Crown Jewels. This allows you to easily see the crowns, orbs, and sceptres at slow pace.
Join a Yeoman Warder tour
Included in your ticket is a free guided tour led by a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater). These tours start from the West Gate entrance (opposite the Tower Shop) and last for about an hour.
They run every 30 minutes and you can enjoy walking around the outside of the buildings and into the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula.
These entertaining tours are popular and can get very crowded, so I recommend trying to aim for a morning tour.
Yeoman Warders have protected the palace for over 600 years. They need to have at least 22 years’ military service and received a long service and good conduct medal. Most of them live within the palace walls.
Visit the Tower of London when the Tower Bridge lifts
There’s an excellent view of the Tower Bridge from the Tower of London.
The Tower Bridge is a drawbridge, which means that the middle section of the bridge can be raised to allow tall boat and other river traffic to pass through.
You can check the schedule here to see when the bridge will lift.
Don’t feed the ravens
The ravens are some of the most famous residents at the Tower of London. You can see them at over four different territories within the Tower’s walls.
They are well taken care of and fed twice a day by the Tower’s Ravenmaster. They enjoy a special diet of mice, chicks, rats and assorted raw meats.
Since they are wild birds, it’s important to not touch or feed them, as they can bite if they feel their territory is being threatened.
Experience the Ceremony of the Keys
Every night the Guards and Chief Yeoman Warder participate in the Ceremony of the Keys, when the Tower of London is locked up for the night.
This is a 700-year-old ancient tradition where the sentry says, ‘Halt, who comes there?’. The Yeoman Warder then replies, ‘The keys.’ ‘Whose keys?’ ‘King Charles’ keys.’ ‘Pass then, all’s well.’
If you want to see this ceremony, you must pre-book tickets online in advance. It becomes fully booked quickly and there is no waitlist for this event. So check the website regularly for up-to-date availability.
Visit the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula
The Chapel existed before the 12th century and has been demolished and rebuilt a few times since then.
It’s also the final resting place for many of the Tower’s executed prisoners under Henry VIII, including Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, Thomas More, and Thomas Cromwell.
You can visit this unique chapel as part of a Yeoman Warder tour. It is still a place of worship so it’s not usually open to visitors on Sunday mornings.
Wear comfortable shoes
You could easily spend half a day exploring the Tower of London. During your time here, you’ll be walking on cobbled areas, climbing stairs, and standing in line (if you have to wait to get inside or see the Crown of Jewels).
To make your experience more comfortable, please wear appropriate shoes. Leave the heels at home and dress comfortably.
Bring and umbrella, snacks, and water
London weather can be unpredictable. Since there are many outdoors areas to explore within the Tower’s walls, I recommend bringing an umbrella or packing a rain jacket just in case.
There are cafes and kiosks selling drinks and food in the Tower, but it’s a good idea to bring your own snacks and a bottle of water to stay hydrated.
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12 interesting facts about the Tower of London
1. The Tower of London is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
It is one of the few intact medieval buildings in the world.
2. At least six ravens are kept at the Tower of London at all times
Legend says, “If the ravens leave the Tower, the kingdom will fall…”. According to the stories, Charles II was the first one who insisted that the ravens of the Tower should be protected.
3. The tower was originally built as a royal palace and defense system
Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066, the tower was never supposed to be a prison. It was used a Prisoner of War Camp during World War II.
4. The total value of the jewels is said to exceed £20 billion
There are 23,500+ jewels there today and their actual value is priceless.
5. There are 32 Yeoman Warders (‘beefeaters’) at the tower
To qualify as a candidate, they must have completed at least 22 years in the Armed Forces and have received the “Long Service and Good Conduct” medal during their years of service.
6. Only 22 executions took place within the Tower of London
Lord Lovat was the last man to be beheaded on Tower Hill, in 1747 for treason.
7. During the 1200s, there was a royal zoo at the Tower of London
The zoo was filled with exotic animals before being transferred in 1835 to the London Zoo in Regent Park.
8. The tower is haunted by several ghosts
These include Henry VI, Lady Jane Grey, the Princes in the Tower and even a grizzly bear!
9. Someone has a spare key
The key to the internal lock was stolen in November 2012. The locks however were immediately replaced.
10. The tower was damaged during World War II
The Tower of London was bombed in 1940 during the Blitz, which damaged several building in the castle grounds, but didn’t hit the White Tower.
11. The basement of the White Tower is where torture was practiced
This mainly took place during the 16th and 17th centuries in order to extract information about plots against the government. One of the methods used was the rack, where the victim was stretched using ropes and levers.
12. The sons of King Edward IV were sent to the Tower by their uncle
Their uncle is Duke of Gloucester and his sons were never seen again. The sons were declared illegitimate and the Duke was crowned King Richard III. He is considered the most likely culprit for their disappearance, and in 1674, two skeleton remains were found which were identified as the two Princes.
London of Tower FAQs
When is the best time to visit Tower of London?
The early morning on a weekday is the best time to visit Tower of London. This is when you can avoid long queues and beat the crowds.
What is the busiest day at the Tower of London?
Weekends and public holidays are the busiest days to visit the Tower. Mid-mornings on a weekday can also be busy with school groups. The best time to go is in the early morning on a weekday.
How long should I allow to visit the Tower of London?
Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours at the Tower of London (or more if it’s busy). There is so much to see and learn about here that you should try and get as much value out of your ticket as you can.
Is it worth entering the Tower of London?
Yes, it’s rated the top tourist attraction is London. This historic castle has over 1,000 years of history and is perfect for all ages to enjoy. You can check out the Crown of Jewels, the “Beefeater” Yeoman Warders, and the famous ravens that have kept the palace from falling.
Can you see Tower of London for free?
No. To go inside the Tower, you will need to purchase a ticket. You can buy your tickets online before you visit (recommended), or you can buy tickets from the ticket office near the main entrance.
How to avoid lines at the Tower of London?
The best way to avoid lines is to visit early in the morning on a weekday and to purchase your tickets online in advance.
Do you have to pay extra to see the Crown Jewels at Tower of London?
No. Your admission ticket includes entry to the Crown Jewels, a tour with one of the Yeoman Warders, the White Tower, Battlements, Medieval Palace, Bloody Tower, Fusiliers Museum, Royal Mint exhibition, and Torture at the Tower exhibition.
Can you bring a backpack to the Tower of London?
You can bring small backpacks and bags, but there are no left luggage facilities and large bags are not permitted in the Tower.
