Historic 1,000-year-old fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site that has served as royal palace, prison, and home to the Crown Jewels. Meet the iconic Beefeater guards and explore medieval towers with dark histories.
The Tower of London stands on the north bank of the Thames at Tower Hill in the City of London, England. Begun by William the Conqueror around 1066 and expanded over the following centuries, the complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has served as a royal palace, armoury, mint, menagerie and prison. Visitors enter through the western gateway and walk the concentric ring of walls, with the central White Tower, a Norman keep, at its heart. Inside, the Royal Armouries displays suits of armour made for Tudor kings, including the armour of Henry VIII. The Waterloo Barracks houses the Crown Jewels, including the Imperial State Crown and the Koh-i-Noor diamond set in the Queen Mother's crown, displayed behind glass along a moving walkway. Yeoman Warders, known as Beefeaters, live within the walls and lead free tours of roughly an hour that cover the executions at Tower Green, the imprisonment of Anne Boleyn and Sir Walter Raleigh, and the mystery of the Princes in the Tower. The Bloody Tower, Beauchamp Tower with its prisoner graffiti, and the medieval palace rooms of Edward I add atmosphere, while the wall walk gives views of Tower Bridge and the Shard. Ravens are kept on site by tradition. Most visitors need three to four hours. The best photograph of the White Tower is from the grass inside the inner ward, and the best view of the fortress itself is from the riverside path near Tower Bridge. Crowds peak between 11:00 and 15:00, especially at weekends, school holidays and in summer, when the Crown Jewels queue can be long. Arriving at opening time, heading straight to the jewels, then joining a Yeoman Warder tour tends to avoid the worst of the queues. Winter weekdays are the quietest.
| Admission | Adult £33.60 · Child £16.80 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Tuesday-Saturday 09:00-17:30, Sunday-Monday 10:00-17:30 |
| Typical visit | 3-4 hours |
| Address | Tower of London, London EC3N 4AB |
Good to know
- Best for
- history buffs, families, first-time visitors
Location
Tower of London, London EC3N 4AB
51.5081, -0.0759 View on map
Highlights
- Crown Jewels in the Waterloo Barracks, including the Imperial State Crown
- Free Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tours of the grounds and Tower Green
- White Tower Norman keep and the Royal Armouries collection
- Wall walk with views of Tower Bridge and the Thames
- Ravens of the Tower and Beauchamp Tower prisoner graffiti
Tips for visiting
- Book online in advance for cheaper tickets and skip the queue
- Join a Yeoman Warder tour for fascinating historical stories
- Arrive early to see the Crown Jewels before crowds arrive
When to visit
Arrive at opening time on a weekday outside school holidays; the Crown Jewels queue is shortest before 11:00. Winter and late afternoon are the quietest periods.
Accessibility
Much of the site is medieval, with cobbles, steep stairs and narrow spiral staircases, so access is limited in the towers. The Crown Jewels and parts of the grounds are step-free, and accessible routes and mobility scooters can be arranged through Historic Royal Palaces.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Tower of London take?
Most visitors spend three to four hours. A Yeoman Warder tour takes about an hour, the Crown Jewels about 30 minutes, and the White Tower and wall walk fill the rest.
Is the Tower of London worth it for kids?
Yes. Children's tickets are about half the adult price, and the armour, ravens, Beefeater stories and the chance to walk along the walls tend to hold the attention of school-age children.
Is photography allowed at the Tower of London?
Photography is permitted throughout the grounds and towers, but it is not allowed in the Crown Jewels display, where filming and photos are prohibited.