the Tower Of London

Uncover the Secrets and Surprises of the Tower of London: Your Must-See Guide!

The Tower of London cannot be missed if you visiting London as a first-time visitor. This iconic attraction offers a unique blend of culture, history and tradition. Visiting the tower will be a one-of-a-kind experience witnessing the Beefeaters and also getting to see the Crown Jewels.

This historic castle is in the heart of London, England, with a rich history that dates back over 900 years. It has served as a royal palace, prison, armoury, and even a zoo.

Why not go ahead and book your ticket in advance not to be disappointed? In this guide we offer several tickets which include, the entry ticket to the Tower of London as well as some combo tickets.

table of contents

• The Tower of London Tickets
• Tips About Going To The Tower Of London
  
• How To Get To The Tower
• 13 Facts About The Tower of London
• Best Tower of London Tours
• Combo London Tower Attraction Tickets
• Common Queries About The Tower of London

The Tower of London

official entry Ticket to the Tower of London and Crown Jewels

This is the main entry ticket to see the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels. The entrance ticket gives you the possibility to discover London's iconic castle, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

You will have a chance to see the crown jewels up close, meet the famed yeoman warders and ravens, and see the tower from a whole new perspective.

To keep your mind at rest to ensure that you will visit the Tower of London at ease, why not book your tickets beforehand by clicking the button below? Before completing your booking, make sure to read all that is included in the ticket.

Tips about going to the Tower of London

Below are several facts/tips that we recommend you read before visiting the Tower of London:

1. Book in advance: Online booking is highly recommended to avoid queues and to secure entry at your desired time.
2. Dress appropriately: The Tower has no specific dress code, so we advise you to wear comfortable yet appropriate clothing since it is a historic site. So avoid clothing that may be seen as revealing or inappropriate. As you will be walking a lot, wear comfortable shoes.
   
3. Plan your route: The Tower is large, so plan your route to make the most of your visit.
4. Allow enough time: There is a lot to see and do at the Tower, so allow enough time to fully explore the castle and its exhibits.
5. Know what's included: Your ticket may include access to the Tower and its exhibitions, but additional activities, such as guided tours, may require an additional fee.
6. Research the history: Knowing some of the histories of the Tower before your visit can enhance your experience, and there is plenty of information available online or in guidebooks.

opening hours of tower of london

The Tower of London is open to visitors every day except for December 24th and 25th.

The opening hours are as follows:

• Winter Season (November to February): Tuesday to Saturday: 9:00 to 16:30 ; Sunday to Monday: 10:00 to 16:30.
• Summer (March to October): Tuesday to Saturday: 9:00 to 17:30; Sunday to Monday: 10:00 to 17:30.

It's important to note that the last admission is 1 hour before closing time and that the hours may vary due to special events or exhibitions. Visitors are advised to check for the most up-to-date opening hours and information.

View of the Tower at Night

How to get to the tower Of London

It is possible to get to the Tower of London via a variety of different modes of transportation.

By tube or the underground also called the Metro

The Circle (Yellow) and District (Green) lines stop at Tower Hill Underground Station, which is the closest underground station (0.2 miles). It only takes a few minutes to get there with step-free access to the street level.

Monument Underground Station which services the Circle (Yellow) and District (Green) lines is a 10 to 15-minute walk from the attraction which is a distance of around 0.5 miles.

Aldgate Underground Station (0.6 miles) which is around a 10 to 15-minute walk.

London Bridge Station (0.7 miles) which is around 15 to 20 minutes walk.

by bus

The following bus routes 15, 42, 78, 100 and RV1 will stop you near the Tower.

Hop-on Hop-off buses

You can stop at several significant sights on the hop-on hop-off bus lines, and reaching the Tower of London is just a short walk away from the bus lines.

River Thames transportation

You can also travel by riverboat and stopping at the Tower Millennium Pier which is just adjacent to the entrance of the Tower of London.

Bicycle

There are bicycle racks located behind the Tower of London shop.

Car Parks

There are several close-by secure underground car parks which can offer you the convenience of hourly, daily and long-term parking options.

Rainy Day at the Tower of London

13 facts about the tower of London

1. Its official name is not the Tower of London. It is officially known as Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London.
2. The Ravens cannot leave. They live on the South Lawn, they are known as the Tower's guardians. Playing games and mimicking sounds is one of their favourite things to do. When you visit, keep an eye out for them.
3. The ceremony of the keys is considered to be the oldest in the world. It is held every evening when the gates are closed for the night. For more than 700 years, it has been held every day.
4. Crown jewels have been kept and displayed at the Tower of London since 1661. There are more than 100 objects and over 23,000 gemstones in this world-famous collection. The core of the Crown Jewels collection consists of religious items used during coronations in England.
5. According to legend, the tower is extremely haunted. It has become known as one of the most haunted locations in the UK.
6. The Tower of London was home to London's first zoo. The Tower housed an assortment of wild and exotic animals between the 1200s and 1835; most were given to the ruling Kings and Queens as royal gifts.
7. Even though that it was not intended to be used as a prison, the tower was used as one. At Her Majesty's fortress, people like Guy Fawkes, Anne Boleyn, and even Queen Elizabeth I were held captive.
8. During both the First and Second World Wars, the tower served as an important base. The tower was once again used as a jail where twelve people were executed for spying. Damage caused by German bombing attacks was repaired after the Second World War, and it was once again open to the public.
9. During World War I, the Royal Fusiliers Regiment trained recruits in the moat surrounding the Tower whose headquarters are still there today.
10. While travelling to Scotland during World War II, Rudolf Hess, a well-known Nazi prisoner of war, made an emergency landing in London. He was housed in the Tower as a prisoner of war.
11. There have been Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London since the Tudor era. A total of 32 members of the Yeoman Body have been selected from the defence forces to form the Yeoman Body, nicknamed the Beefeaters. They must have 22 years of military service and be willing to bring their families up to the tower with them.
12. For more than 500 years, it served as the home of the royal mint. Before the advent of technology, each coin was created by hand up until the time when machine cutters allowed gold to be cut mechanically rather than by hand.
13. The Key is a pub inside the Tower of London. The only people allowed inside are Beefeaters and guests. There is no public access to the facility, and Google Maps won't show you where it is.

tower of london tour tickets

Tower of London Early Access Tour with Beefeater

You can avoid the long lines at the Crown Jewels by entering early. Take a tour of the majestic Royal Palace and castle with one of the famous Beefeater guardsmen. Find out more about the history of the Royal Castle, the Yeoman Warders, and other famous locations.

Book Your Early Access Tickets

Tower of London Beefeater Welcome & Crown Jewels

The Tower of London is best seen with a Beefeater, who takes you on a 3-hour tour with an early entry ticket. Discover amazing tales with a Beefeater guide during a special 15-20 minute tour. Discover this historic site's Raven's Den, White Tower, and other attractions.

Buy Your Tickets From Here

tower of london combo attractions

Along with saving you money on your tour, these affordable combo tickets allow you admission to two of London's must-see locations.

Tower of London tour & Thames river cruise

Watch the opening ceremony, a renowned military tradition, and view the crown jewels before the crowds arrive. Following a tour with a knowledgeable guide and then you'll get access to a ticket for a 24-hour hop-on, hop-off river cruise.

Book Your Combo Tour Here

Tower of London and Tower Bridge Early-Access Tour

Experience the formal opening ceremony of the Tower of London on a 3-hour guided tour. Before the crowds arrive, take a look at the Crown Jewels. After that, enjoy a skip-the-line visit to the engine rooms and Tower Bridge Experience.

Book Your Combo Tour Here

map of the tower of london

hotels near the Tower of london

The Tower of London is surrounded by a wide variety of hotels because it is the centre of all London attractions. You can stay in some of the hotels listed below.

• Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square - 5-Star Hotel
• Cheval Three Quays at The Tower of London - 5-Star Hotel
• Hotel Novotel London Tower Bridge - 4-Star Hotel
• citizenM Tower of London - 4-Star Hotel
• The Tower Hotel - 4-Star Hotel

Read about the best neighbourhoods to stay in London.

Tower of London Main Entrance

In conclusion, the Tower of London offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich history of the UK, with its former role as a royal palace, prison, and armoury. Visiting the fascinating world-famous collection of the Crown Jewels adds to the unforgettable experience. This attraction should be at the top of your list of what to do in London!

If you want to learn more about the things to do in London, check out our guide.

questions to help you understand better your visit to the Tower of london

It is always helpful to read these details in advance to make the most of your visit to this iconic London landmark.

photo sources

• River Cruise Boat - Photo by Val Bond on Unsplash
• Tower of London Close Up - Image by Walter from Pixabay

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