Tower of London Historical Royal Palace

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The Tower of London is a popular place to bring the whole family as there is something for everybody to enjoy: views of the city, history, architecture, romance and even a little bit of gore!

Here you will find what to expect from a trip to the Tower of London and advice on how to plan your trip. There are also practical details on how to find the tower, opening times, contact details, addresses and places to eat in the area; plus links to more detailed pages about the tours available at the Tower of London and how to buy tickets for a trip there.

Tower of London overview to what makes the palace so special

The Tower of London is an old London treasure. It was built in the 1070s by William the Conqueror who wanted a fortress in the heart of the city to remind the people of the city of his power and strength. Since first being built it has seen many important changes in history and has been the site of momentous events.

The Tower of London is the home of some of the royal family's important possessions. These include the Crown Jewels, the royal mint and, of course, the iconic beefeaters (who actually still live within the grounds of the Tower of London).

Tower of London experience

The Tower of London is located on the North bank of the River Thames. Not only is it an architectural attraction in itself, it also offers views of Tower Bridge and the surrounding area of the banks of the River Thames. On your arrival at the Tower of London you will find the ticket booths located outside the entrance to the Tower. Once you have bought your tickets you can head straight through to the tower.

If you have decided to take one of the free Beefeater tours, you can wait at the entrance where the tour will begin. The tours offer you the opportunity to get your bearings and return to attractions that you would like to spend more time at.

Contrary to popular belief, the Tower of London is not just one tower. It is a whole area made up of 18 towers - worth considering this when you are planning your trip. You may want to give yourself at least three hours to take in the whole attraction. However, if you have limited time, Tower staff recommend that you first take one of the free half hour beefeater tours, then head to see the Crown Jewels and then head to the iconic White Tower.

Crown Jewels

The Crown Jewels are a popular attraction at the Tower of London - there are the crowns, capes, scepters and jewellery of British kings and queens going back generations. Here you will see the crown worn by Queen Elizabeth II at her coronation. On entering the vault in which they are kept you will be amazed by the size of the doors that the glistening jewels hide behind - it is described as ' the most secure place in London'.

Due to the popularity of the Crown Jewels you may have to queue for some time to see them. To avoid queues, staff advise that the best time to head to the attraction is in the morning before the crowds arrive. At busier times, including weekends and bank holidays, you could have to queue for between one hour and one hour thirty minutes.

How to get entrance tickets

For details on the different ways in which you can buy tickets, different tickets for the Tower of London that are available and ticket prices, see our Guide to Ticketing for the Tower of London.

Opening times

The Tower of London opening times vary depending on whether you come during the summer or the winter. See the exact times in the table below.

The Tower of London can be a different experience depending on what time of the day you visit. If you come during the early evening you will have the opportunity to see the sun setting over Tower Bridge. This will look particularly impressive if you make your way up to the walls of the castle.

How to get there

The Tower of London is located directly outside Tower Hill tube station. On arriving at the tube station follow signs for the Tower of London. As you exit the station you will get an impressive view over the whole of the tower (this is a good spot for a photo). Simply cross the road and you will be at the ticket offices and entrances to the tower.

Tube: Tower Hill (Circle Line / District Line)

Contact details

The Tower of London
London
EC3N 4AB

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3166 6311 (From the UK)
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3166 6000 (From outside the UK)
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3166 6311 (For group visits)

Website: Tower of London Official Website

At the Tower of London it is worth scheduling at least half a day to make the most of this vast palace. Make the most of the trip by taking one of the tours that are provided by the beefeaters themselves and then go back to the areas of the tower that most appeal to you.