Tower of London

Today, the tower famously displays the Crown Jewels (which include the Imperial State Crown) and holds centuries of history. It remains guarded by members of the Royal Bodyguards, known as Beefeaters.

Visitors can admire the Royal Armouries in the White Tower, walk along the battlements, and see the spot of Anne Boleyn’s execution by order of Henry VIII. They can also gain historical insight at the Torture at the Tower and Coins and Kings exhibits, the Fusilier Museum, and the Line of Kings.

• The tower is an incredibly popular attraction—purchase your ticket or book your tour in advance.

• Tower of London tickets include options for audio guides in several languages.

• Choose an early-access tour to beat the crowds, or combine your trip with visits to other top London sites.

• The tower hosts special events, medieval reenactments, and family activities throughout the year.

The tower is at the north end of Tower Bridge on the Thames River waterfront. The closest tube station is Tower Hill via the Circle and District lines. The tower is a 10-minute walk from the London Bridge.

Opening times are from 9am to 5:30pm March to October and 9am to 4:30pm November to February. It opens at 10am on Sundays and Mondays. Admission lines can get long, especially in the afternoon—visit first thing in the morning to avoid crowds. Guided tours led by “Beefeaters” start every 30 minutes near the main entrance.

The tower's wildly entertaining Beefeaters, or Yeoman Warders, share stories and secrets on the widely recommended Beefeater tour. Take these tours to learn about the six ravens that make the Tower of London their permanent home. Legend has it that the tower will fall if they ever leave. There's even a "raven master" tasked with looking after them and a seventh raven on hand in case one should fly away.

Yes, the Tower of London is worth visiting. With a long and complex history as a palace, fortress, and prison, it’s an excellent place to learn about London through the ages. Moreover, the tower is one of England’s most important buildings and home to the precious Crown Jewels.

Tours of the Tower of London typically take about one hour. Altogether set aside at least two hours for your Tower of London visit. That will give you additional time to explore parts of the tower on your own—and wait in the long line to peek at the Crown Jewels.

Tower of London tours visit the most popular parts of the tower, such as the Crown Jewels, White Tower, Bloody Tower, and other sites. They also typically grant access to the Torture at the Tower and Royal Mint exhibitions. Your admission ticket covers the famous "Beefeaters" tour.

Don’t miss seeing the Crown Jewels—the wait is worth it. You also don’t want to miss the Beefeater guards and the armory and weapons collection in the White Tower. See the site of Anne Boleyn’s execution at Tower Green and catch views of Tower Bridge from the ramparts.

The best time to visit the Tower of London is mid-week early mornings, when lines are typically the shortest. Weekends, public holidays, and afternoons are busiest with tourists and school groups. Winters bring shorter lines but wet, dreary weather.

No, you can’t walk around the Tower of London for free. Visitors must purchase admission tickets or limit their trip to the tower’s far perimeter and bridge. While not required, booking tickets in advance will likely save you time and money.