How to get the cheapest Tower of London tickets

The Tower of London’s long, storied history begins nearly 1,000 years ago when, fresh from his famous victory at the Battle of Hastings (I think you’ve got something in your eye, Harold), William Duke of Normandy was declared Conqueror and King. Keen to assert Norman dominance over London (and to secure England against any further invasions), he rapidly set about building multiple fortifications, of which the iconic White Tower, central keep at the Tower of London, was one.

Initially intended as both defensive stronghold and, naturally, luxurious royal residence, the Tower complex was further expanded by subsequent monarchs in the 12th and 13th centuries and – give or take a few cosmetic and structural tweaks here and there – remains largely unchanged to this day.

This fearsome citadel has produced enough mystery, intrigue and general back-stabbing to make an HBO exec go weak at the knees, not to mention more gruesome deaths than your average series of Game of Thrones. It’s been a palace, a fortress, a prison and even a menagerie. Some famous former guests who have stayed at His or Her Majesty’s pleasure here include ‘Braveheart’ William Wallace, Lady Jane Grey, Guy Fawkes, Sir Walter Raleigh, Rudolph Hess and the Kray twins. Two of gouty serial monogamist Henry VIII’s wives were also incarcerated and executed here. That’d be Anne Boleyn (#2) and Catherine Howard (#5). Some say Anne can still be seen hanging mournfully around her burial plot at the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula, sometimes with head intact; sometimes… not.

But perhaps the Tower’s most notorious tale is that of the Princes in the Tower – deposed child king Edward V and his kid brother Richard – who, one fateful night in 1483, went missing from this ultra-high-security royal fortification, never to be seen again. It’s a mystery that remains (technically) unsolved to this day, but the smart money’s on their loving uncle and Lord Protector, whose ascent to the throne as Richard III could now go ahead unchallenged.

• The Crown Jewels! Ogle the Tower’s eye-popping collection: some 23,000 priceless gems, swords, scepters, rings and amulets plus. You can even check out the crown worn by both  Elizabeth II and Charles III at their coronations. 
• The White Tower! This one’s the OG: Big Bill the Conqueror’s 11th-century statement of intent. Eyeball medieval armour and have a go at archery inside.
• The Bloody Tower! Assess the evidence and make up your own mind about what became of the Princes in the Tower.
• The execution spot! Eyes peeled for Anne Boleyn’s memorial (and wand'ring spirit) on picturesque Tower Green.
• The ravens! Could it get any more Game of Thrones? Say hey to the resident ravens and their Yeoman Warder pals. Superstition says that the monarchy will fall if they ever leave the Tower. The ravens, that is, not the Warders. There’s also a free Yeoman Warder tour included with entry, subject to availability on the day of course.

Ok sure, we’re biased, but like the story of the Princes in the Tower, the facts pretty much speak for themselves. The London Pass® is the most convenient way of ticking off London’s biggest bucket-list attractions and saving cash at the same time. And here’s how it works:

1. Pick the pass that’s right for you – anything from one up to 10 days of consecutive sightseeing. Choose the standard London Pass or upgrade to The London Pass Plus® for bonus premium attractions.
2. Fill your boots by visiting as many London Pass attractions as you humanly can within your chosen number of days. The pass promises admission to 100 attractions, tours and activities, including heavy-hitters like the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral and London Zoo.
3. You can bag savings of up to 50% on your sightseeing vs buying individual attraction tickets – the more you see, the more you’ll save.
4. And here’s the best bit: if you don’t save money with The London Pass®, you can get the difference refunded.

Bonus tip: when visiting the Tower of London with your London Pass, you can also snag a cheeky 10% off in the shops and restaurants, meaning that sparkly tiara and raven motif umbrella just got cheaper!

For a mere five of your English pounds you, dear reader, can experience an age-old ritual that’s been taking place nightly at the Tower of London since the 14th Century. The Ceremony of the Keys sees a sentry cry out: 'Halt, who comes there?' The Yeoman Warder in question reveals himself as the holder of the current monarch’s keys, and is granted passage to lock the gates. The ceremony takes place, pretty much without fail, at 9.53PM. Get your tickets for this slice of ancient royal tradition here.

Enjoyed this? We have plenty more fine articles about London’s most famous royal stronghold for your perusal:

• Meet the Tower of London’s ravens and ravenmasters
• Acquaint yourself with the Tower’s spooks and spectres
• Explore our recommended route around the Tower of London’s highlights
• More things to do in and around Tower Hill