Wait, should I visit this Tower?
Yes, is the short answer, particularly if you’re into the following:
- Royal bling.
- Ravens.
- Gruesome history and beheadings.
- Cute, crown-topped glitter pens that you can buy at the gift shop!
The Jewel House where the Crown Jewels are kept
Okay, I’m sold, how do I find the place?
Here are all your options, from tube to riverboat (if you fancy arriving à la Anne Boleyn).
Tube & Trains
Tower Hill is your closest tube and a mere 5-minute walk away. You’ve also got Monument, Bank, Aldgate, and Aldgate East London within a 10–15-minute walk. London Bridge and Fenchurch Street are the nearest National Rail stations and 10–15-minutes away.
Bus
Routes 15, 42, 78, 100, 343, and RV1 all stop near the Tower of London. All major sightseeing buses also pass by if you want to incorporate a Big Bus tour into your day.
Riverboat
Yes, you can take the traditional mode of transport used for former prisoners! The Tower Pier is right outside so you can stroll straight in and, don’t worry, you won’t be executed upon arrival (we assume).
Traitor's Gate where former prisoners would enter the Tower
How do I get in with my pass?
You’ve got The London Pass right? If not, do not pass Go – click here to get your hands on a pass for some serious savings AND a cheeky 10% off at the Tower of London’s shops and restaurants.
Once you’ve got your pass, enter through the middle tower and join the ‘bought tickets’ line. Show it to a member of staff who’ll scan you in and then head to the baggage/security check. Once your bags have been checked, you’re free to explore! The Tower of London does not offer luggage storage so make sure your bags are no larger than standard cabin size – you're not moving in, after all.
What are the best bits?
We’ve rounded up the Tower’s must-see sights so you can skip straight to the highlights if you’re short on time.
The Crown Jewels
Get yourself down to the Jewel House to see some amazing royal bling. Feast your eyes on a whopping 23,000 gemstones and precious artifacts including the Imperial State Crown worn by all Kings and Queens at their coronations. There’s also a cool travelator you can ride and sparkling tiaras you can buy at the gift shop. Just make your way over there first as queues can get long!
The White Tower
You’ll recognise The White Tower as the 'tower' tower of the Tower of London, AKA the thing you’ve seen in pictures. Head there for several floors of fun. On the lower floors, you’ve got the Royal Armouries collection featuring lots of medieval armour and some frankly ridiculous codpieces (nice try, Henry!). On the upper floors there’s the interactive Armoury in Action section where you can have a go at shooting arrows, brandishing swords and firing cannons.
The ravens
Spot these spooky-looking birds watching over the grounds of the tower and milling about among the battlements. It’s said that if they ever leave, the kingdom will fall. Dramatic right? The ravens are a key part of the lore and charm of the Tower of London – see if you can count them all.
The bit where the beheadings happened
The Tower Green today is a lovely, picturesque spot. It’s also the location of multiple executions including Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. You’ll find Anne’s Memorial here – a glass pillow on two engraved circles.
The Bloody Tower
Heard of the Princes in the Tower mystery? The Bloody Tower is where murderous Uncle Richard imprisoned his two innocent nephews before they mysteriously disappeared. Learn all about their story in this infamous location. Walter Raleigh was also locked up here for 13 years.
The Tower Green - now very pretty, formally the site of many a beheading
Where can I shop?
The Tower of London is a shopper’s haven, boasting as many gift shops as Henry VIII had wives (that’s six!). Here’s where to stock up on your much-needed royal keepsakes.
The Tower of London Shop – just outside the grounds
This spacious shop is a treasure trove for history enthusiasts, offering everything from royal-themed collectibles to books and clothes. Warning: it’s also chockfull of very cool toys, so be prepared if you’ve got little ones in tow.
The White Tower Shop
Situated in main tower, this shop is all about armoury. You’ll find medieval-themed toys, homeware and replica swords here. Perfect for if you’re going into battle any time soon!
The Beefeaters Shop
Shop for all things Yeoman Warder at this well-stocked store which houses guidebooks, apparel and other Beefeater-themed bits. You can also purchase an optional audio tour for a small cost.
The Ravens’ Shop
Need a raven-themed umbrella or whiskey glass? Head to this charming store to find a selection of gifts themed around the Tower’s famous feathered residents.
The Crown Jewels Shop
At the end of the breathtaking Crown Jewels exhibit, you can load up on your own sparkly trinkets. From jewel replicas and jazzy tiaras to ornate homeware pieces, this shop is a must-visit for magpies.
Should I do a Beefeater Tour or a self-guided one?
If you’ve got time, we’d encourage you to do both as they offer completely unique experiences. Do the Yeoman Warder tour first for a guided narrative to set the scene and give you the historical overview. Then grab an audio guide, open the app or just go solo and explore the different exhibits around the site, learning more at your own pace.
The Beefeater tour is a lively and informative walk through the Tower’s varied history – filled with captivating stories and insider anecdotes. If you love an engaging narrative and want to ask questions – this tour is for you. It doesn’t take you into any of the exhibits though. Think of it as the ‘CliffsNotes’ of the Tower of London’s infamous history. Our tour was run by former Navy officer Gary Burridge who let us in on plenty of little-known secrets.
On the other hand, a self-guided tour offers the freedom to explore at your own pace, diving deep into the exhibits that pique your interest using the Tower’s app or an audio guide. Audio guides add extra detail to all the exhibits you’ll walk around, but these come with a teeny weeny additional cost.
A tour with a Beefeater
Where can I take the best photos?
Does a day trip count if you don’t document it on social media? If you’re keen to capture the magic of the Tower and fill your feed with envy-inducing snaps, here are the best spots.
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Snap the London skyline on the historic walls – just outside Wakefield Tower, on the battlement walls, you’ll find the perfect backdrop of Tower Bridge and the London skyline, without all those other tourists getting in the way. Turn around and you’ll also get a great view of The White Tower.
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Get a selfie with a Beefeater – the ultra-friendly Yeoman Warders are happy to take photos once the tour finishes. Everyone say ‘off with your head’.
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Take an arty snap by Traitors' Gate – once the infamous entry point for prisoners arriving by boat, Traitors' Gate offers a dramatic and atmospheric photo backdrop. Think dark arches and sloshing water – the sort of spookiness any Gothic fan will love.
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Get quintessentially Tudor vibes on the Village Green – this charming area within the Tower grounds provides a fresh splash of greenery for your photo. With a cutesy row of Tudor-style historic houses behind, this is the place for your ‘ye olde England’ style photos.
While we don’t recommend chasing them around the grounds (remember that thing about the Kingdom falling), if you spot a Raven chilling by the Tower, be sure to capture the exquisite creatures for bonus points!
Unfortunately, one place where photography is prohibited is the crown jewels exhibit. We don’t think the beauty of the jewels can be captured on camera anyway. No, not even with the sparkle filter.
A raven guarding Traitor's Gate
What can I do at the Tower of London in bad weather?
You can’t let a little rain dampen your sightseeing trip to London. After all, the city clocks up 155 days of rain per year, so you’ll more than likely need a brolly to hand. And yes, you can grab a raven-themed one from the gift shop if you’re caught short.
Luckily there are plenty of places in the Tower of London to duck into when the weather gets gloomy. The Jewel House, The White Tower and The Bloody Tower are all indoors so you can explore to your heart’s content in all weathers. And, let’s be honest, they’re the best bits.
Although the Beefeater tours may be cancelled in poor weather, sometimes the route is adapted for covered areas, so you may well be able to join – be sure to check at the information booth when you arrive.
A replica of a royal room inside the Tower of London
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Where do I go after the Tower of London?
The Tower of London is located right next to plenty of other must-see sights, plus some great places to stop for a bite to eat if you fancy a mid-sightsee break. Here’s what we recommend...
Nearby attractions you can visit with your pass
Right next to the Tower of London you’ve got Tower Bridge – head there to experience the glass-floored walkway and learn all about the bridge’s engineering. There’s also The Shard, London’s tallest building, just a 15-minute walk away – make that your next stop for gorgeous sky-high views across the city. And if you’re thirsty for more gory stories, make your way to The London Bridge Experience for the ultimate scare-fest.
Where to stop for a bite to eat
If your next stop is The Shard or The London Bridge Experience, we’d recommend swinging by Borough Market where you can take your pick from over 100 food stalls offering everything from artisan pasta and traditional paella to big blocks of cheese (whatever takes your fancy). If you’re keen to stay close to the Tower of London, there are plenty of cafes and eateries in the picturesque St Katharine’s Docks marina nearby.
Enjoyed this? Read all about the ghosts of the Tower of London (if you dare!) or find out where all the hidden hotspots are.
