The Tower of London is one of the most popular sites to visit in this fantastic city. Not only it is one of the oldest and historic buildings in England’s capital city but also the site where the Crown Jewels are stored. The Tower of London is the heart of London.
In this post you will find:
Is the Tower of London worth it?
With most museums being completely free in London some people doubt about visiting the tower because of its high admission price. Is the Tower of London worth visiting? In my opinion, it is.
Visiting the Tower of London is a great way to learn a lot about the history of the city. If you are interested in history and you like learning about the places you travel then it is definitely worth it. I highly suggest you give a chance to it, especially if you’ve travelled from a great distance to visit London.
Tower of London tickets prices
Tower of London tickets can be bought at the entrance of the Tower or online. You can either print your tickets at home or download a PDF ticket to your mobile for scanning at the entrance. Prices are lower online than at the entrance of the Tower.
Tower of London tickets prices:
- Adults: £37
- Age 65+ or 16-17, full-time student, disabled visitor: £29.5
- Child age 5-15: £18.5
Prices updated in March 2026. Check out all ticket prices at the Tower of London website.
Tower of London admission ticket gives you entry to all public areas of the Tower of London, including the Crown Jewels, White Tower, Bloody Tower, battlements and the Yeoman Warder tours.
Buy discount tickets for The Tower of London and avoid long lines
- The Tower of London is one of the attractions included in the London Pass. If you want to visit many sights the pass is perfect as it includes the entry to more than 80 London attractions. Click here to see the list of attractions included in the London Pass.
If you want to know if the London Pass is worth it read: London Pass vs London Explorer Pass
Tower of London guided tour
If you want to get more in depth information about the Tower of London the best option is to book a tour. There are several options to choose from like this 4 hour walking tour including a River Thames Cruise, this early access tour including the opening ceremony at the Tower, or this pass including the entrance to the Tower of London and Kensington Palace.
Tower of London History
The Tower of London is a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. It was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England. The official name is: Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London.
The Tower of London has been used as an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public record office, and the home of the Crown Jewels of England. The tower was used as a prison from 1100 until 1952. Some of the executions that took place here were the ones from: Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey and Catherine Howard.
Today the Tower of London is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What to see in the Tower of London
- Yeoman Warder Tours
The Yeoman Warders were responsible for looking after any prisoners in the Tower and safeguarding the British crown jewels.
Yeoman Warder tours are perfect for beggining your visit to the Tower of London. You will see some guards wearing black and red uniforms wandering around the castle. They offer tours around the castle daily every 30 minutes. Tours begin near the main entrance to the Tower of London.
Of course you can skip their tour and guide yourself through the castle but I highly recommend the Yeoman Warder Tour to start your visit. Not only they have plenty of stories and information to share but also a great sense of humor.
Tours leave regularly from the main entrance of the Tower and are included as a part of your entry ticket.
Photo Credits: Laura Bittner
- The White Tower
The white tower gives the entire castle its name. It was built as a symbol of oppression used to display power and intimidate invaders. Nowadays it houses a chapel and many exhibits including armors and swords, including the 350-year-old exhibition Line of Kings.
- The Crown Jewels
The highlight of the visit is definitely seeing the crown jewels, a unique collection that is still used by the Queen in important ceremonies. Unfortunately you’re not allowed to take photos. In fact you’re not even allowed to LOOK at the jewels for more than some seconds as there are people movers which guide you through the collection. But it is impressive to see them even for some secs!
- The ravens
Legend states that if there are no ravens, the Tower and the Kingdom will fall. So the ravens are the most important members of the Tower of London and under Royal Decree there must always be at least 6 ravens on site.
- Guards at the Tower of London
Outside the Jewel House and The Queen’s House you can spot the guards protecting the Crown Jewels. There are three daily ceremonies: the Ceremonial Opening, the Ceremony of the Word and the Ceremony of the Keys. The Ceremony of the Keys is a 700-year-old ancient ceremony that occurs daily from 21:30 to 22:05 hs. Tickets are free but must be pre-booked online. The event is really popular so make sure you book your tickets months in advance.
- The Walls
The inner walls of the castle were used for defense purposes centuries ago and are now one of the best attractions in the tower. They offer stunning views of London where you can neatly see the contrast between the medieval and modern city.
There are more activities and exhibits included in The Tower of London which make the visit really worth it. You can read more about the tours and special events at the Tower of London official website.
Useful tips for visiting The Tower of London:
- The Tower of London opening times:
Summer (01 March – 31 October): Tuesday – Saturday: 09:00 -17:30, Sunday – Monday: 10:00 – 17:30
Winter (01 November – 28 February): Tuesday – Saturday: 09:00-16:30, Sunday-Monday: 10:00 – 16:30
- Make sure you take the Yeoman War Tour to get an introduction of the complex.
- Try to go there early in the morning as the latest hours tend to be the most crowded
- Audio tour is not included with the entrance ticket but can be booked for £5.00
- You can take photos within most of the palace with the exception of: the Jewel House, the Martin Tower, the Chapel of St. John (in the White Tower), inside the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula and some temporary exhibitions.
- There are no left luggage facilities at the Tower of London so make sure you only bring what you need for the day.
Other things to do in London near the Tower of London:
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- Tower Bridge: The Tower of London is located just in front the Tower Bridge so you can visit it on the same day as the Tower. The Tower Bridge exhibition gives you the opportunity of seeing London from the high-level walkways.
- Sky Garden: London’s highest public garden offers some of the best views of London and it’s located just 10 minutes away from the Tower of London. The entrance is free but you need to book your ticket in advance at Sky Garden website.
- The Shard: The Shard is the tallest building in United Kingdom with 309.6 metres (1,016 ft) high. Its observation deck, The View from The Shard, offers 360-degree panoramic views of the city. Book View from the Shard Entrance Ticket here.
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