Tower of London

Tower of London: How to Make the Most of Three Hours

The Tower of London has been a royal palace, prison, treasury, menagerie, and armory at various points in its 1,000-year history. William the Conqueror began the White Tower - the central Norman keep, which gives the complex its name - around 1078. Successive monarchs added walls, towers, and buildings over the next four centuries. Anne Boleyn was imprisoned and executed here. So were Thomas More and Lady Jane Grey. Two of the Tower’s most persistent legends - the Princes in the Tower murdered by Richard III, and the idea that England will fall if the ravens leave - are both unverifiable historically, but the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters) tell the stories well regardless.

Admission and booking

Adult entry is GBP 34.80 (Historic Royal Palaces members free). Book online in advance - it does not discount the price but saves the ticket queue time, which can be 30-45 minutes at the main gate in peak summer. The site opens at 09:00 Tuesday to Saturday and 10:00 Sunday and Monday.

The Crown Jewels

The Jewel House holds the working coronation regalia used at every British coronation since Charles II in 1661. The St. Edward’s Crown (used to crown the monarch), the Imperial State Crown (worn at the ceremony’s conclusion and at the State Opening of Parliament), the Sovereign’s Orb, and the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross. The stones are real and extraordinary close-up: the Cullinan I (Great Star of Africa) diamond in the sceptre is 530.4 carats. Moving walkways carry visitors past the cases to prevent queuing blockages; expect 10-15 minutes in the queue for the Jewel House during busy periods.

The White Tower

The original Norman keep houses a substantial collection of historical arms and armour, including the personal armour of Henry VIII at various sizes (he put on considerable weight in his later years, which the display of successive armours makes clear). The Line of Kings exhibition at the upper level, showing mounted figures in armour, has been in the Tower since 1660 in various forms. Allow 45-60 minutes.

The Yeoman Warder tours

Free guided tours leave from the main entrance every 30 minutes (check the schedule board). The Warders are serving or retired members of the armed forces; their delivery varies but the best tours are genuinely funny as well as informative. The tour covers the outer ward and main gates but not the Jewel House or White Tower interiors.

The Ravens

Six ravens are kept permanently at the Tower (technically more, as policy requires at least six). They have clipped flight feathers. The current ravens include Jubilee, Harris, Poppy, George, Georgie, and Merlina (whose periodic disappearances have caused considerable press attention). The Ravenmaster, a Yeoman Warder who manages the birds’ care, has written a memoir about the role.

Practical notes

The Tower is on Tower Hill (Tower Hill tube, District and Circle lines). Allow 3-4 hours minimum. The interior is a working UNESCO site with uneven medieval paving; comfortable flat shoes are not optional. The shop inside sells reasonably good books on the history. The New Armouries Cafe in the former munitions building is the most reliable food option on site.

Tower Bridge, the Victorian bascule bridge directly adjacent (not the same as London Bridge, a few hundred metres upstream), has its own admission for the walkways and bridge lift machinery. Tickets are GBP 10.60 for adults.