Things to do in Tower Hill: The Essentials
Things to do in Tower Hill: The Essentials
Tower Hill’s iron grip on the tourist dollar can be attributed to just two London attractions. But, boy, are they biggies. Here’s the lowdown on Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
Tower Bridge
Perhaps *the* most photographed landmark in London, Tower Bridge is instantly recognisable from its graceful suspension cables, soaring Gothic Revival turrets and glass-floored elevated walkway. One of the best ways to experience this feat of Victorian engineering is by grabbing breakfast in Borough Market (by London Bridge station) and strolling the South Bank, where hordes of selfie takers preen, pose and pout for their close-ups, using London’s best Tower Bridge views as the stunning backdrop.
Want to get closer? Pedestrian walkways mean you can walk from one side of the bridge to the other (you’ll need a head for heights when the bascules are raised though!). But if you fancy (ahem) elevating your experience further still, it’s the viewing platform you want, with sweeping vistas downriver to St Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard and beyond. The gallery’s floor is made of glass, so you can look straight down beneath your feet at the pedestrians, boats and buses far below. Entry also includes a peep at the old Victorian engine rooms.
The Tower of London
The Tower of London
What can be said about the Tower of London that hasn’t been said before? Not much, that’s what. But among the quirkier facts relating to this 11th-century fortress are the following…
- It contained a menagerie for more than 600 years, with beasts including monkeys, lions, a polar bear and an African elephant among the medieval inhabitants.
- The most famous non-human residents today are the Tower’s six ravens – a centuries-old superstition has it that the kingdom will fall if they ever make a flap for freedom.
- Among the many people executed here were gouty serial monogamist Henry VIII’s second and fifth wives. Anne Boleyn’s ghost is said to haunt the Tower to this day (Catherine Howard is busy elsewhere, spooking visitors to Hampton Court Palace).
Whether you’re here to catch a ghost or simply to ogle the eye-popping Crown Jewels, The London Pass® is your friend. Check out our complete guide to visiting the Tower of London, then choose your pass for maximum savings. Pro-tip: The London Pass® also includes entry to Tower Bridge and dozens more top London attractions.
Things to do in Tower Hill: Beyond the Tower
Things to do in Tower Hill: Beyond the Tower
There are plenty more things to do in and around Tower Hill that involve neither bascules nor beheadings. Here are just a few of our faves…
- St Katharine Docks. Just east of Tower Bridge on the north bank of the Thames, this urban marina has a rich history as one of London’s busiest commercial ports. Commerce is still king here, but in a far more refined way: think indie boutiques and chichi coffee houses. There are also frequent outdoor exhibitions, a fountain paying tribute to British tennis icon Virgina Wade and, of course, those permanently swoonsome views of the boats passing beneath Tower Bridge. Check out what’s on at the Docks here.
- All Hallows-by-the-Tower. Only the oldest church in the City of London, All Hallows has survived Great Fires, blitzes (just) and diarist Samuel Pepys climbing its tower. Inside, you can ogle treasures including medieval fonts, statues and brass rubbings, as well as an excavated section of Roman pavement in the crypt museum.
- London Wall. Roman ruins tickle your pickle? Good news: there are more nearby. Mosey over to Tower Hill Tube station, outside which you can find one of the most impressive remaining sections of the great Roman wall that once encircled the city of Londinium.
- Wilton’s Music Hall. Ok, so technically this one’s just over county lines in Shadwell, but who’s counting? Head north from St Katharine Dock for a peek into the world of Victorian music halls. Not just any old music hall, but the oldest in the world, Wilton’s boasts original features including ornate balconies and cast-iron pillars, and continues to thrive as an eclectic arts venue to this day. Find out what’s on here.
Things to do near Tower Hill, London
Things to do near Tower Hill, London
Tower Hill is also a fine jumping-off point for many more top London attractions, not least because you can simply hop on a boat at Tower Pier for destinations including Westminster and Greenwich, both of which contain more London Pass highlights than you can shake a very large stick at. What else? Oh yes…
- Whitechapel. Go for the Jack the Ripper tours and old-school Victorian vibes; stay for artisan crafts at Spitalfields Market, contemporary art exhibitions at the Whitechapel Gallery, and some of the best bagels (and street art) in town along the storied cobbles of Brick Lane.
- Sky Garden. The highest public garden in London – way up top of the Fenchurch Building (aka ‘the Walkie-Talkie’) – is free to enter. Expect colourful hothouse plants including the African Lily and Bird of Paradise, not to mention blooming fantastic views of the City of London.
- HMS Belfast. Militaria mavens will find much to enjoy at this hulking vessel, a decommissioned Naval warship that’s now a permanent museum. You’ll find it (actually, you can’t really miss it) moored in the middle of the Thames within view of Tower Bridge.
- Monument. It’s hard to believe that this Monument to the Great Fire of London was briefly the tallest structure in the city, following its completion in 1677. Now somewhat dwarfed by the glass-and-steel jungle that's sprung up all around it, the OG still packs a fair old punch, not least for those who brave the narrow 311-step internal staircase up to its lofty viewing platform. The reward? Splendid skyline views… and a certificate to prove that your little legs made it all the way to the top.
Looking for more things to do in Tower Hill and elsewhere around London? The London Pass® includes savings on entry to nearly 100 top attractions, tours and activities. Click to find out more and choose your pass.
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