Tower of London
8.1Friend Score / 10#6 of 11 Attractions in London
Known fortower of londoncrown jewelswhite towerravens
A genuine 950-year-old fortress holding the Crown Jewels, ravens, and a millennium of grim history — this is the London blockbuster that actually earns its hype. It's £37 adult and crowded, but the free Yeoman Warder tours are some of the best storytelling in Britain. Book online and go early.
Key facts
| Hours | Tue–Sat 09:00–17:30 Sun–Mon 10:00–17:30 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Tower Hill (District/Circle), 5-minute walk; Tower Gateway DLR and Fenchurch Street rail nearby |
| Time needed | 3-4 hours to do it justice |
| Best time to go | 9am opening on a weekday — go straight to the Crown Jewels before queues build |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.1/10- Value7.5
- iconic8.7
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level4.5
- Authenticity9.0
- Accessibility9.0
Frequently asked questions
- Can you see the ravens at the Tower?
- Yes, they roam the grounds freely — legend says the kingdom falls if they leave, so their wings are kept trimmed and a Ravenmaster looks after them. You'll usually spot them on Tower Green.
- How long do you need at the Tower of London?
- Three to four hours minimum — Crown Jewels, a Yeoman Warder tour, the White Tower armouries, and the wall walk fill a morning easily. Rushing it in 90 minutes wastes the ticket price.
- Are the Yeoman Warder tours worth doing?
- Absolutely — they're included in your ticket, run regularly until mid-afternoon (last tour around 3:15pm), and the Beefeaters are professional storytellers with genuinely dark, funny material. It's the single best thing at the Tower after the jewels.
- How do I avoid the Crown Jewels queue?
- Be at the gate for opening and walk straight to the Jewel House before anything else — by 11am the queue can hit an hour in summer. The moving walkway past the jewels keeps things flowing once you're in.
- What is the Ceremony of the Keys?
- It's the 700-year-old nightly locking of the Tower at 9:53pm sharp — one of the oldest continuous military ceremonies in the world. Tickets are separate, cost a few pounds, and book out months ahead on the HRP website, so plan early.
- Is the Tower of London worth it with kids?
- Yes — armour, executions, ravens and battlements are catnip for kids over about six, and family tickets soften the price. Strollers are manageable on the main paths but the wall walks and White Tower involve lots of stairs.
- What are the Tower of London's opening hours?
- Tuesday to Saturday 9am-5:30pm, Sunday and Monday 10am-5:30pm, with last entry at 4:30pm. Hours shift slightly in winter, so check the date when you book.
- How much are Tower of London tickets?
- Adults are from £37 online, children 5-17 £18.50, concessions £29.50, under-5s free. Book on the Historic Royal Palaces site — it's cheaper than the gate and you skip the ticket queue.
Nearby in Ask London
- Tower BridgeLandmark0.29 km · 4 min walk
- The ShardAttraction0.84 km · 10 min walk
- Maltby Street MarketMarket0.96 km · 12 min walk
- Borough MarketMarket1.08 km · 14 min walk
- Bao BoroughRestaurant1.12 km · 14 min walk
Where to stay near Tower of London
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