London
Tower of London
Norman fortress built in 1066 housing the Crown Jewels, medieval torture chambers, and resident ravens. The Yeoman Warders lead entertaining tours through 1,000 years of royal executions, imprisonments, and crown ceremonies. It sits in London's Borough, close to the other main sights. It ranks among London's most visited sights, and for good reason - most itineraries include it on day one. Tickets cost £33.60 adult, £16.80 child and 3-4 hours is enough to see everything without rushing.
Priority: High - do not skip Time needed: 3-4 hours Best for: only place to see the crown jewels Skip if: You dislike crowds, have mobility issues with stairs, or aren't interested in royal history Cost: £33.60 adult, £16.80 child
What It Is
Walk through stone corridors where Anne Boleyn was imprisoned, stand inches from £23 billion worth of crown jewels moving past on a travelator, and watch ravens hop across Tower Green where royal executions took place.
Accessibility: Ground floor accessible, some towers require climbing narrow spiral stairs
Why Visit
Only place to see the Crown Jewels and medieval fortress that shaped 1,000 years of British history. That puts it near the top of any London visit, and it deserves the spot. Combine it with Borough Market and Tate Modern - they are close enough to walk between and together make the strongest half-day in London.
Skip if: You dislike crowds, have mobility issues with stairs, or aren't interested in royal history
Practical Info
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | Tuesday-Saturday 09:00-17:30, Sunday-Monday 10:00-17:30 |
| Price | £33.60 adult, £16.80 child |
| Time Needed | 3-4 hours |
| Best Time to Visit | First thing at opening to see Crown Jewels without queues |
| Address | St Katharine's & Wimpole, London EC3N 4AB, United Kingdom |
Tips
- Book online for £3 discount.
- Crown Jewels queue longest 11am-3pm.
- Beefeater tours every 30 minutes from main entrance.
Insider tip: The last entry is 90 minutes before closing, giving you the fortress almost to yourself
Photography
No photography allowed in Crown Jewels room, exterior shots best from Tower Bridge
Our tips
What we'd tell a friend visiting
- Book online for £3 discount
- Crown Jewels queue longest 11am-3pm
- Beefeater tours every 30 minutes from main entrance
Nearby attractions
More places to visit in London
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Tower of London
Adult tickets cost £33; children £17. Opening hours are 9am-5:30pm Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5:30pm Sunday-Monday. Tickets include Crown Jewels access but queues exceed two hours in peak season (June-August). Book online to skip queues and sometimes save £3-5. The fortress spans 13 acres with 21 towers; expect 2-3 hours minimum to see main attractions.
The Tower houses the Crown Jewels (including five crowns valued at millions), medieval fortress architecture dating to 1066, and the White Tower keep. Exhibits cover royal history, weapons, and executions. Ravens (six birds) live on the grounds; legend claims if they leave, the kingdom falls. Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters) conduct hour-long tours. The tower saw 7 executions including Anne Boleyn in 1536.
Plan two to three hours for main attractions: Crown Jewels, White Tower, and Chapel. Crowds add 30-60 minutes to queues in summer months. A detailed visit with all 21 towers and exhibits takes four to five hours. Early arrival (9am opening) reduces wait times significantly. Audioguides cost extra but are optional; Beefeater tours depart hourly and require no additional fee.
The Crown Jewels alone justify the £33 cost if you arrive early (opening at 9am) to skip hour-plus queues. The fortress itself spans 1,000 years of history with substantial architecture. However, if history museums bore you, the overhead crowds may diminish appeal. Consider combining with nearby attractions: Tower Bridge (free to walk across) and the Thames riverfront reduce attraction costs while offering comparable views.
Tours & tickets for Tower of London
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