Tower of London

...Top London Attraction

Tower of London

The Tower of London was founded in the 11th century and the famous White Tower was built by William the Conqueror.

This beautiful fairytale Palace, with the famous crown jewels, is perched on the banks of the River Thames and is one of the most visited attractions in the world! The stunning building was built as a Palace and fortress and for many years was used as a prison for royalty and clergy.

Tickets for the Tower of London

Adult £18.00 | Child (5-15) £9.50 | Senior/Student £15.50 | Family (Up to 2 adults & 6 children) £50.00

This is one of the world's major tourist attractions with over 2.5 million visitors.
Don't forget to cross Tower Bridge - turn right and take a stroll down the very trendy and arty Bankside and Southbank of London.

Getting Here

Tube: Tower Hill (Circle & District line/DLR)
Bus: 15 serves the Tower of London and Tower Bridge

Royal Palace...

The Tower is officially a Royal Palace and although the Royal Family no longer reside here, the Palace is always guarded.

There are many buildings inside the Tower which is surrounded by walls and a moat which at Christmas becomes a skating rink.

Opening Hours

1 November - 28 February
Tuesday - Saturday: 09.00-17.00
Sunday - Monday: 10.00-17.00
Last admission: 16.00

1 March - 31 October
Monday - Saturday: 09.00-18.00
Sunday: 10.00-18.00
Last admission: 17.00

All internal buildings close 30 minutes after the last admission. The Tower closes one hour after the last admission. The Tower is closed 24-26 December and 1 January (inclusive).

What to see...

Crown Jewels

These glittering jewels are held in the most visible vault in the world and each has a tale to tell of political intrigue and power. The Maundy Dish and Imperial State Crown are still part of the annual traditions of monarchy.

Beefeater Tours

Take one of these tours and be amazed and appalled by tales of pain and passion, treachery and torture, all delivered with a smile and swagger.

The White Tower

The White Tower was the original Tower of London. Begun by William the Conqueror around 1080, it would have made a safe and impressive home for the newly crowned Norman invader. It is still home to original armours worn by Henry VIII and Charles I and a scary collection of historical weapons and torture instruments. For those seeking a less gory side of its life, there is the beautifully preserved 11th century Chapel of St John the Evangelist to explore.

Prisoners of the Tower

Despite its reputation there are no dungeons at the Tower of London and its doubtful there ever really were. The Tower was rather more exclusive than that, with prisoners from the higher levels of society entitled to be held here. Come and see what life was like imprisoned in the Bloody or Beauchamp Towers. Experience the sights, sounds and inscriptions left from incarceration five hundred years ago.

Political Intrigue

Famous for political intrigue this beautiful Palace is where many Royals spent their last days. Queen Anne Boleyn (mother of Elizabeth 1) was beheaded for treason against Henry V111 and many still say her ghost haunts the Tower today. There are many famous nursery ryhymes which describe the horrors of life in England during this time.

Place of Execution

Anne Askew is the only woman to have been tortured on the rack in the Tower before being burned at the stake for her protestant beliefs The place of execution was Tower Green and All Hallows Church (Byward Street), EC3R 5BJ was where the bodies executed at the Tower were sent.

Things to do
in London