Tower of London
1,000-year-old fortress with the Crown Jewels, ravens, and Yeoman Warder tours.
The call
Worth it if you only have one day and you're traveling with kids.
Short answer
Is Tower of London worth it?
Tower of London deserves a place on most first itineraries. Go early or reserve ahead. Crowds are part of the cost.
The answer depends on your budget, time and travel style; the breakdown below shows who gets the most value.
Why
- 01
A genuinely dense slab of history — executions, prisoners, the Crown Jewels glinting on a moving walkway.
- 02
The Beefeater tours are funny and excellent.
Is it a fit?
Go if
This is your first trip to London
A near-essential first London history hit that bundles the Crown Jewels, Beefeaters and Tower Bridge views in one stop.
You only have one day
Short trip or not, keep Tower of London.
You're traveling with kids
With kids, Tower of London is an easy yes.
You're traveling as a couple
As a couple, Tower of London is an easy yes.
Think twice if
You're watching the budget
Tower of London can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.
You care about the visual experience
Tower of London offers some beauty & photography, but not enough to make it the reason to go.
Plan it well
- Cost
- £35
- Timing
- Arrive at opening (09:00) or after 15:00 to dodge the Crown Jewels queue.
- Booking
- Book timed tickets online in advance — cheaper than the gate and avoids the entry line.
- Allow
- 3 hrs
- Accessibility
- Partly accessible; the White Tower and parts of the wall walk involve steep historic stairs with no lift.
- Getting there
- Tower Hill (District/Circle line) or Tower Gateway DLR, both a short walk.
Consider instead
Sources and method (2)
- Adult tickets start from £37.00 (children 5–15 £18.50, seniors £29.50); booked online via Historic Royal Palaces, the charity that runs the Tower. hrp.org.uk ↗
- Entry includes the Crown Jewels, White Tower, battlements and the Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour subject to availability. hrp.org.uk ↗