There’s no denying there’s plenty to see at the Tower of London, 4,333 steps worth to be precise – now that is a lot of history. That’s why we spent a full day scaling battlements, dodging ravens and scouring every corner to figure out the best route to make sure you see it all, we've even made you a handy map! Here’s what we learned...
1. Start with a Yeoman Warder Tour
1. Start with a Yeoman Warder Tour
These famous Beefeaters aren’t just great storytellers; they live and breathe the Tower’s history. From royal prisoners to dramatic executions, their tales bring this fortress to life in a way no guidebook ever could. Our Beefeater was called Gary, and his dry humour and insider stories really set the scene for the rest of our visit. He was very proud to share that the Tower now has five women Yeoman Warders... and even one vegetarian Beefeater!
2. Walking the walls and towers: enter at the Medieval Palace
After we’d said a fond farewell to our new bestie Gary, it was time to head to the Medieval Palace to see where Henry III once lived – make sure you enter here to walk the full route of the walls and towers. There’s a one-way system around the battlements and if you miss the start, it gets a bit confusing (for some of us anyway).
From the Medieval Palace, follow the battlements, exploring the interconnected towers and their exhibitions along the way:
- Wakefield & Lanthorn Towers – see how years of royalty lived and what their courtly life was like, nice for some hey?
- Salt, Broad Arrow & Constable Towers – discover prisoners’ stories and the Tower’s battle defences - turns out not everyone in the Tower was having quite such a nice time.
- Martin Tower – learn about the lives of the Yeoman Warders (as well as Gary there are usually around 35 Beefeaters in residence at the Tower), plus what it’s like to call the Tower of London home, we wish!
- Royal Beasts Exhibition – yep, the Tower once had its own royal menagerie. Lions, monkeys, and even a polar bear that fished in the Thames!
- Wellington & Waterloo Barracks – the Tower isn’t just about royalty – it’s played a key role in military history too.
- WWI Exhibition – find out how the Tower played a part in the First World War, some lucky soldiers even got to live inside the Tower itself while they awaited deployment.
3. and 4. The Crown Jewels Exhibition and The White Tower – queue-dependent!
These two are must-sees, but we found the order depends on the queue situation. If one has a shorter line, jump in then!
Crown Jewels Exhibition – one of the Tower of London’s most popular attractions, the Crown Jewels Exhibition showcases a dazzling collection of regalia used in British coronations for centuries.
Even if you’re not into royal bling, this collection is jaw-dropping. The multimedia displays add great context, and the moving walkway ensures you get an uninterrupted view of these legendary artifacts.
The White Tower – the heart of the Tower of London, the White Tower is the oldest part of the fortress, dating back to circa 1080 under William the Conqueror, making it officially The Tower of London. This Norman stronghold has seen nearly a thousand years of history and today it’s packed with fascinating exhibits on warfare, royalty, and some seriously intense medieval weaponry.
We promise the stairs are worth it. On the top floor you’ll find the interactive displays where you can have a go yourself – try your hand at all things ancient warfare, like archery, swordsmanship and even stone masonry – think medieval LEGO®.
5. Independent Towers & Hidden Corners
Before you leave, explore the Tower’s more hidden spots – they’re some of the most intriguing!
- Bloody Tower – learn about Sir Walter Raleigh’s herb garden and the tragic fate of the young princes, the story that earned this tower its name. (We agree, it’s a bit of a rogue combination.)
- Lower Wakefield Tower – experience the chilling history of torture and discover the part it played in the Tower’s past; this one is probably not for the more squeamish of explorers, someone we know had their eyes closed the whole time, (naming no names of course).
- Cradle Tower – see the King’s private water gate, installed for him to come and go from the River Thames.
- Beauchamp Tower – check out the graffiti left behind by prisoners awaiting execution – some of them were surprisingly artistic, we were particularly impressed by a decorative piece, believed to be the work of Thomas More!
- The Raven Enclosures – while most of the Tower's feathered friends are out and about during the day, you can usually see some of them up close in their enclosures, just don't get too close - apparently they bite!
6. Finally, before you leave, sneak a peek at The Keys, the Yeoman Warders’ private pub inside the Tower grounds!
Sadly, it’s not open to the public, but it’s cool to know they have their own exclusive watering hole inside the Tower walls – they’re even gifted a bottle of Beefeater gin on their birthday!
Follow our route, and you’ll get the absolute best out of your visit to the Tower of London – with just the right mix of history, drama, and a little royal sparkle.
Remember we’ve gone for the whole shebang here but if you prefer a more chilled experience, just wander round as you like and have a nosy at anything that piques your interest.
Happy history hunting!
Check out our handy map for all the key points
Check out our handy map for all the key points
Enjoyed this? Check out our lazy travellers guide to holiday planning or read our guide to the Tower's ghosts (if you dare!).
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