The Tower of London has stood on the north bank of the Thames for nearly a thousand years, serving as a royal palace, a fortress, a prison and the home of the Crown Jewels. A visit to the Tower of London packs a great deal of English history into one walled site, and the guided tours by the Yeoman Warders, the famous Beefeaters, are among the best free extras at any attraction in the city.
Why visit the Tower of London
William the Conqueror began the White Tower, the great stone keep at the centre, in the years after 1066 to dominate the city he had just taken. Later kings added rings of walls and towers, and the result is a medieval castle in the middle of a modern city. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is cared for by the charity Historic Royal Palaces.
Its stories are a big part of the appeal: royal prisoners, executions on Tower Green, the Princes in the Tower and the ravens that, according to legend, must never leave or the kingdom will fall. A small group of ravens is still kept here.
Getting to the Tower of London by Tube
The closest station is Tower Hill on the District and Circle lines. From the exit you can see the Tower across the road, and the walk down to the entrance takes about five minutes. Tower Gateway on the DLR is right next to Tower Hill, useful if you are coming from Docklands or Greenwich.
- From the City, Monument and Bank stations are a 10 to 15 minute walk west.
- Thames river boats stop at Tower Pier, just in front of the entrance.
- Pay with contactless or Oyster across the Tube, DLR and buses.
Tower of London tickets and opening hours
The Tower is a paid attraction, and the ticket includes the Crown Jewels, the White Tower, the walls and the Yeoman Warder tours. Booking online in advance through the official Historic Royal Palaces website, hrp.org.uk, is usually cheaper than buying at the gate and lets you skip the ticket queue. Family tickets and memberships are available.
Opening hours vary by season and day of the week. There are also occasional closures for events. Check the official site for current times and prices before you travel. Bags are checked at the entrance, and large luggage is not allowed.
Highlights inside the Tower
The Crown Jewels
The Jewel House holds the crowns, sceptres and orbs still used in coronations. A moving walkway carries you past the most famous pieces, so you may want to go round more than once.
Yeoman Warder tours
Tours leave regularly from near the entrance and are included in your ticket. The Warders are former senior members of the armed forces, and their tours are both funny and informative.
The White Tower
The keep holds displays of royal armour, including suits made for Henry VIII, as well as the Norman chapel of St John.
The walls and Traitors' Gate
Walk the wall walks for views of Tower Bridge and the river, and look for Traitors' Gate, the water entrance through which prisoners were brought by boat.
Best time to visit and how long
Arrive at opening and head straight to the Crown Jewels, where queues can stretch outside on busy days. Weekdays outside school holidays are calmest. In summer the afternoon can be very crowded, so an early start pays off.
Allow three to four hours to see the jewels, join a Warder tour, explore the White Tower and walk the walls. Families with children can easily stay longer.
Nearby on the same stop
Tower Hill is a good place to start a riverside walk:
- Tower Bridge: next to the Tower, with an exhibition and glass walkways across the top.
- St Katharine Docks: a marina with restaurants a few minutes east.
- All Hallows by the Tower: one of the oldest churches in the City, opposite Tower Hill station.
- Sky Garden: a free indoor garden and viewing level at the top of 20 Fenchurch Street, bookable in advance.
To see what else is good around this station, open the Tower of London on Around the Metro, or browse the London Tube map.