Visit the Tower of London: tickets, prices, schedules

Are you lucky to discover London and its royal treasures? You're going to love visiting the Tower of London!

The capital of the United Kingdom is a megalopolis of more than eight million people worldwide known for its famous royal family but also for its cultural wealth. You will have the choice between walking in the modern Tate Museum to contemplate contemporary works of art, walking on the Tower bridge, the famous bridge overlooking the Thames, or visiting the main residence of Queen Elisabeth II, Buckingham Palace. Among all these iconic places, there is a major building in London that deserves the detour: the Tower of London. The latter is a fortress of nearly 1,000 years classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. Through its rooms, its dungeon, towers and ramparts, you will immediately be immersed in the history of the English monarchy.

Visiting the Tower of London is a must during a stay in the city nicknamed the Grand Brouillard. In order to make this historic experience unforgettable, we have referenced in the mini-guide that follows all the information you need.

History of the Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of the most important historical monuments in the British capital. This castle was founded in 1066 by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, to control the city and to establish its authority in the territory. He chose to build it on the north bank of the Thames to have a vision both on London and on its river traffic. In 1078, the Duke of Normandy decided to add a room to this building to protect himself from external attacks; He built the white tower, which was primarily a dungeon.

During the 12th and 14th centuries, under the reigns of Richard I, Henri II and Edouard I, the Tower of London experienced many transformations including the addition of two concentric enclosures, bastions and ditches to make it an unbeatable fortress. At the same time, the building was renovated to obtain its current stone appearance while it was originally built in wood. The Tower of London was used several centuries as a royal residence and then it became successively a striking workshop for currency, household, observatory, treasure room and finally, state prison under the Tudor era. This last function will remain until the day after the Second World War. Today, this castle is a museum where thousands of visitors rush each year to admire the jewels of the Crown that have been transferred to it since 1971.

What to see and do at the Tower of London?

Although the building is named Tower of London, this vast fortified complex includes several buildings that are surrounded by a dove and two enclosure walls. The site covers almost 5 hectares, so there are a lot of rooms to visit. There is no mandatory route to follow, you are free to visit the rooms and towers of the castle in the sense that best suits you. However, here are the main elements to include in your journey when you decide to visit the Tower of London.

The white tower or white tower is the symbol of this fortress. It is also the image that comes automatically to our minds when you evoke the Tower of London. It is the central tower of the London building and it is also the old dungeon. It was built in the 11th century by Guillaume the Conqueror according to the traditional style of a Norman castle and measures 27 meters high. The west, south and east corners of the building are surmounted by square towers while the north corner is dominated by a round tower containing a spiral staircase allowing to climb to the upper floors. The white tower was later enlarged, chimneys and latrines were added to bring some comfort and allow this part of the castle to become a place of residence for the royal family.

In the southern part of the white tower is the Chapel Saint-Jean . Built in 1080 with stones imported from Caen in France, it is the oldest church in London. You can see magnificent stained glass windows representing biblical characters as well as a vaulted nave. Once it was in the crypt of this chapel that the crown jewels were preserved. Always in the white tower, don’t miss taking a look at the collection of weapons, armour and cannons constituting the Royal Armoury of the Tower of London. One of the most famous pieces is the armor of Charles I.

If there is a must to do when you choose to visit the Tower of London, it is the visit of the jewels of the British Crown . They are displayed in the former Waterloo barracks within the fortress. Most of the pieces were created for a particular occasion and are subsequently reused, especially during a new crowning. You can approach the world's second largest diamond of 530 carats, the famous Koh-i Nor , diamond mounted on the royal crown, and many other jewels, swords and sceptres.

The Tower of London is composed of 21 different towers, so you will have the opportunity to discover them all during your visit: the bloody tower where princes were murdered in the sixteenth century, tour Saint Thomas where one can see a reconstruction of the home of Edward I, and many more. You choose the one you prefer!

Finally, if you plan to visit the Tower of London, enjoy a walk on the ramparts of the fortress to admire the view of the Thames and the Tower Bridge.

How to get to the Tower of London?

The Tower of London is located in the City area. The easiest way to get there is to go on foot or take public transport.

On foot

It is possible to go there by walking if you opted for accommodation in the City.

By metro

The nearest metro station to the Tower of London is Tower Hill . You can borrow the line ‘ District ’ (green) and the line ‘ Circle ’ (yellow colour). When you get out of the station, follow the pedestrian path that will lead you to an underground passage through the avenue. Then take the sidewalk which will take you to the large square of Tower Hill and the Thames docks where you will see the entrance of the Tower of London.

By bus

The bus stops that will drop you near the Tower of London are Tower of London or Tower Gateway. You can use the following lines to get there: lines 15, 42, 78, 100 and N15, N551 and RV1 .

River bus

You can also borrow the river shuttle that runs on the Thames, called Thames Clippers , and stop at the station Tower Pier to join the Tower of London. The different lines go through this stop.

Schedules and rates of the Tower of London

HORARI

The Tower of London is open every day of the year except for 24, 25 and 26 December and 1 January . Opening times depend on the season:

• Summer (March 1 to October 31) : Tuesday to Saturday, from 9am to 5:30pm, and Sunday and Monday, from 10am to 5:30pm. The last admission is 5:00.
• In winter (from 1 November to 28/29 February) : Tuesday to Saturday, from 9am to 4:30pm, and Sunday and Monday, from 10am to 4:30pm. The last admission is 16:00.

RATES

The fares at the London Tower ticket office are as follows:

• Adult : £27.50
• Child under 5 : free
• Child between 5 and 15 years : £13.10
• Student : £21.50
• Senior 65+ : £21.50
• Family with 1 adult and up to 3 children : £49.40
• Family with 2 adults and up to 3 children : £69.90
• Holder of the London Pass or pass anture: free