Tower of London Visiting Tips: Everything You Need to Know in 2026 [from a Londoner]

Wondering what are the best Tower of London visiting tips? Look no further! Here’s your ultimate guide with everything you need to know — from a Londoner!

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Ready to embark on an epic journey through time, ravens, and shiny bits of metal that could fund a small island (oh hey, Crown Jewels!)? That’s right, we’re talking about the Tower of London!

This isn’t just a pile of old stones; it’s a castle that’s part rock concert, part history lesson, and 100% pure British drama.

But hold on! To make sure your visit is anything but ye olde typical tourist fling, I’m going to spill the medieval beans on how to enjoy one of the many iconic London attractions like an expert.

Here’s your ultimate guide on the best Tower London visiting tips — from a Londoner!

Tower of London Visiting Tips: Everything You Need to Know

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Tower of London in a Nutshell

🪷 Overview: Built as a secure fortress and a symbol of royal power, the walls in this castle showcase UK’s history, jewels, victories and losses throughout the last 1,000 years.

📍 Location: Nestled by the Thames next to the iconic Tower Bridge, it stands at the ready at the edge of the city’s hustle, on St Katharine’s & Wapping, London EC3N 4AB.

🕙 Opening Hours: Doors open from Tuesday to Saturday at 9 am, but you can gift yourself a lie-in on Sundays and Mondays when doors open at 10am. Closing times will vary on the season, though, with everyone out by 4:30 pm or until 5:30 pm in peak season. Last entry is an hour prior!

🎫 Tickets: The well-worth tickets to visit this monument range from £16.80 to children of 5 to 15, to £33.60 for adults. Get yours here.

P.S. – Entrance is also included on The London Pass, so if you’re visiting London and planning to go to many tourist destinations, this could save you loads!

⏳ Suggested Duration: Keep your crowns on for a solid 2.5 hours (at least!), perfect for soaking up the rich history without missing out on any good Royal gossip.

🗺️ Map of the Tower of London:

Photo courtesy: Historic Royal Palaces

What to Expect at Tower of London

Stepping into the Tower of London is like hopping into a time machine fuelled by cobbled stones and raven caws.

This chunky, grey, medieval lady has been standing since the 1070s (!), serving as a palace, a prison, a treasury, a zoo, and even a royal mint.

But don’t let the old age fool you into thinking it’s boring — we’ve got drama with a capital D here! Breathtaking beheadings, astonishing prison breaks, and a sad disappearance of tiny Royals. I love saying that history is for the gossipers, and this place is living proof of it.

Oh, and the exhibitions – as marvellous as a freshly baked scones if I do say so myself.

Dive headfirst into the Crown Jewels exhibition, marvel at the Royal Armouries, and say hello to the cheeky ravens. Legend has it, if they ever leave, the Kingdom will fall (no pressure, guys!).

Visiting the Tower isn’t just a box to tick off on your London must-do list. It’s a ticket to the heart of British drama and majesty. So are you ready to get this epic history lesson?

How to Get to Tower of London

Like anything in London, getting to Tower of London is as easy as finding the perfect spot for your next Instagram post. Here’s a list of the different ways to do it.

By Tube: Dart for the Circle or District line and swan off at Tower Hill station (towards East). When you come out, you’ll be right where you need to be!

By Train: Your nearest station awaits at London Bridge or Fenchurch Street. From there, it’s a breezy walk where you can get your fill of that fresh London air before you meet the Beefeaters.

By Bus: If you fancy a royal procession on a double-decker, grab routes 15, 42, 78, 100, 343 or RV1 and it’ll drop you off right at the Tower’s doorstep.

By Boat: If you’re feeling a bit nautical, hitch a ride on the Thames Clipper to Tower Pier – you’ll get a splash of sea air and a peek at some of the city’s best riverside sights before your royal exploration.

Once you’re in Tower of London, it’s time to search for the best entrance. And here’s where I have a pro tip like no other!

The West Gate Entrance is the most popular, as it’s the one you need if you don’t have tickets (but that’s not going to be you, is it?). Head to the Middle Drawbridge Entrance to avoid the longer queues.

Best Time to Visit Tower of London

If you’re plotting to conquer the Tower of London without the big crowds, it’s best to time your visit over November to February. While everyone else is hibernating, you’ll have the place almost like you’re part of Henry VIII’s entourage!

But I also understand that this might not be possible, so here’s a little secret: swan in at 9 am sharp. That’s when the doors swing open, and the early birds are still snoozing.

The next best thing would be aiming for a late afternoon instead. Just start by 3 pm; it’s perfect for ticking off all the treasures before the ravens start their bedtime routines.

Now, you didn’t hear this from me, but dodge the Tower during Easter, Christmas, and school holidays. It’s packed tighter than a tube carriage at rush hour!

Join the Beefeaters Tour

In case you didn’t know, the Beefeaters (the ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London) don’t just stand around looking cool in their snazzy outfits. They’re storytellers at heart, and trust me when I say you’d like to hear what they have to say!

Every thirty minutes an authentic, certified Beefeater will whisk you away on a free tour of the Tower. Yes, you read that right – it’s absolutely free.

It genuinely is so worth it, as you’ll see more and queue less. Plus, you’ll have all the secret history straight from the horse’s mouth – sometimes with a twist of British humour!

Queue for The Crown Jewels Next (or Before!)

Now, I know I mentioned skipping queues with our colourful guards. Well, unfortunately you won’t be able to avoid all of them. So get your crown-loving self in queue nice and early for the Crown Jewels – and I mean early.

You see, those shiny bobbles and majestic trinkets are a must-see, and everyone wants a peek. So, trust me, the earlier you’re in that queue, the more dazzle-time you’ll have without battling a sea of tiara-topped heads.

P.S. – You can’t take any pictures of the Crown Jewels for security reasons, and they’re pretty strict about it — so no sneaking!

Other Things You Can’t Miss in Tower of London

Lucky for you, your Tower of London ticket includes way more than a peek to the shiny crown and orb you see in TV. Here’s a list of things you can’t miss on your exploration!

The Chapel Royal

This one’s like your secret portal to the 12th century – a serene oasis where queens and knights once prayed, and now lay in their eternal sleep.

The White Tower

This age-old beauty hosts the epic ‘Line of Kings’ display, dating back to 1688! It’s like Avengers Assemble, but for armor-clad monarchs.

Prisoners of the Tower

Ever heard of the phrase “sent to the Tower”? This was NOT where you wanted to end up if you crossed a royal in ye olden times.

The Bloody Tower

Here you’ll try to uncover the mystery of the Princes in the Tower – one of history’s biggest mysteries right at your fingertips!

The Executioner’s Block

This is the chills-inducing spot where notable lineage-enders like Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard met their untimely ‘de-heading’. It’s the ultimate behind-the-veil peek into those spicy Tudor scandals!

How to Involve the Kids

If the insane legends, cool exhibitions, and amazing storytelling from the Beefeaters isn’t enough to keep your little ones entertained, then the Tower of London for Kids & Families Tour is the way to go.

It’s convenient because you’ll have your tickets ready, and it’s extra interesting for the kiddos as a Blue Badge guide will teach them personally about all the history of the landmark in a fun and engaging way.

Want more family-friendly tours? Read 7 Best London Tours for Families — from a London Travel Blogger.

Visit the Tower During a Special Event

Photo courtesy: Historic Royal Palaces

Now, for an extra deluxe experience at Tower of London, why not pair your visit with a special event?

If you’re up for it, you’ve gotta catch the Ceremony of the Keys. It’s the oldest rite of passage – and by oldest I mean seven centuries old.

Every night, the Beefeaters strut their stuff, locking up the Tower with whispers, footsteps, and ancient words. It’s so hush-hush and solemn, it makes sneaking in after curfew look like child’s play. Super cool perk? It’s free! But you need to snag tickets for a Tower of London After Hours Tour.

Then there’s the bang-tastic Tower of London Gun Salute, where celebrated royal anniversaries get a 62-gun salute from the Tower wharf, and it’s as loud and proud as your grandpa’s stories.

Wear comfy shoes and claim your spot early for the best view – you don’t want to end up watching it through someone else’s phone screen!

So, is the Tower of London Worth Visiting?

If you ask me, a history buff, absolutely! I mean, how can you not be intrigued just by looking at those old stoned walls?

The Tower of London is full with interesting legends, myths, and anecdotes that define today’s UK. Plus, it’s super well preserved! So you’ll really feel like you’re stepping back in time.

So what do you think? Are you in for a Tower-tastic experience?

Tower of London Visiting Tips FAQs

Q: What is the best way to see Tower of London?

A: You know me, I always recommend a guided tour to uncover the best secrets. Lucky for you, the Beefeater tour is free once you’re in, starting every 30 minutes. Or if you’re going as a family, the Tower of London for Kids & Families will not disappoint.

Q: What day of the week is best to visit the Tower of London?

A: Old-school wisdom says Tuesday through Thursday are your lucky days, since the weekend hordes have vanished and Monday might still have them lingering around.

Q: Do you need to book tickets for Tower of London?

A: Oh, yes! Do get a ticket ahead of time online – you’ll not only dodge those ever-growing queues but grab a cheeky discount like the pro you are!

Q: How much time do you need at Tower of London?

A: For a royally good time, pencil in 2.5-3 hours (or even a full day if you’re feeling it), because there’s a whole heap of history to unwrap, and you don’t want to miss out on anything!

Q: Why you should visit the Tower of London?

A: For a front-row seat to Britain’s riveting past, of course! From rugged fortress to tales of monarchs’ mischief, visiting the Tower is like being let loose in history’s playground, with the added sparkle of those show-stopping Crown Jewels.

Thanks for reading my Tower of London Visiting Tips Guide. If you enjoyed it, let me know on Instagram!

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Happy Londoning,