Tower of London Castle

Address: Tower of London, London EC3N 4AB, United Kingdom

Website: https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/

Hours: Daily (opening hours vary seasonally; typical daytime visiting hours)

Admission: Adult tickets typically around £29-£35 (book online; prices vary by booking method and season)

The Tower of London is a historic fortress on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, founded in the late 11th century. Its complex of towers, walls and inner keeps served as a royal residence, prison, armory and treasury across the medieval and early modern periods.

Visitors explore features such as the central White Tower, the medieval defensive works, the site of public executions at Tower Green and the display of the Crown Jewels. Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters) provide guided tours that explain the site’s layered history and notable events.

Originally begun shortly after the Norman Conquest, the Tower developed over centuries under successive monarchs and was used for military, administrative and penal purposes. It later evolved into a major public monument and museum, with conservation work to preserve its fabric and collections.

The Tower sits beside the Thames in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, a short distance east of the City of London and close to Tower Bridge and London Bridge transport links.

• Crown Jewels access: The Crown Jewels are displayed in Waterloo Barracks and often have queues; timed-entry and off-peak visits reduce waiting times.
• Guided tours: The site is an active heritage site with scheduled guided Yeoman Warder tours that provide historic context and anecdote.

What to See#

• White Tower: The central Norman keep built by William the Conqueror in the late 11th century; it contains historic exhibits and offers interior access.
• Waterloo Barracks (Crown Jewels): The purpose-built 19th-century barracks where the Crown Jewels are displayed; this secure building is the public’s main reason to visit the complex.
• Tower Green: A small grassy area associated with executions of high-profile prisoners; the site is marked and interpreted for visitors.

The Tower of London is immediately adjacent to Tower Hill Underground station (Circle and District lines) - exit Tower Hill and it’s a 1-3 minute walk to the fortress; Tower Gateway DLR is also a short walk. From London Bridge station it’s about a 15-20 minute walk west along the river. The site is in central London’s eastern riverside and easily reached by tube, DLR, bus or taxi.

• Arrive at opening and head straight to the Crown Jewels display-queues form quickly-then join a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour from the main entrance; the tours run frequently and provide historical context you won't get wandering alone.
• Enter from the Tower Hill side (near the Tube and public approach) and book tickets online to skip the busiest ticket queues, especially on weekends and bank holidays.
• Walk the walls and visit the White Tower's medieval armoury and royal displays rather than only viewing the Crown Jewels; many visitors overlook these extensive exhibits and the riverside views along the battlements.