Tower of London

Tower of London tickets and tours

United Kingdom

Things to do in Tower of London

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There are many amazing historical stories and fascinating features of the Tower of London, but one of the most colourful has to be the men you see standing around in the bizarre red costumes. They’re officially named Yeoman Warders, but all of England knows them as ‘Beefeaters’.

Today, these men (and women) offer guided tours and interesting anecdotes about the Tower’s history, but they have a much longer history. Once a royal bodyguard (since 1509), they enjoyed a powerful position and the right to eat as much beef as they wanted from the king's table. Back then, they were known for fighting and drunkenness, and would have killed any unexpected visitor.

The modern Yeoman Warders are not just tour guides, however. Each one of them has served at least 22 years in the armed forces in places such as the Falkland Islands, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. They can answer your questions and are happy to have their photographs taken with you.

Opening hours

1 November-28 February:

  • Tuesday-Saturday: 9.00am-4.30pm
  • Sunday-Monday: 10.00am-4.30pm
  • Last admission is at 4.00pm

1 March-31 October:

  • Tuesday-Saturday: 9.00am-5.30pm
  • Sunday-Monday: 10.00am-5.30pm
  • Last admission is at 5.00pm

About the Tower of London

Only since the Victorian era has the Tower been a tourist attraction. Throughout its earlier history it has been a royal residence, a castle, an armoury, a treasury for the Crown Jewels and a notorious prison.

French King William the Conqueror started construction in the eleventh century using stone from Caen in France. Successive kings added more fortifications, accommodation and even a private zoo with lions. One of the most infamous events of this early history came in 1483 when Richard Duke of Gloucester put his two young sons in the tower ‘for their own protection’. Nobody ever saw them again . . . and Richard suddenly became king. Hmm.

During the Tudor period, the tower became a centre of torture and imprisonment. This was partly due to Henry VIII’s break from the Catholic Church and the large number of people who didn’t agree with it. Famous prisoners included politician Sir Thomas More and Henry’s own wife Anne Boleyn (whose crime was not to have a male child).

In 1605, the tower welcomed Guy Fawkes, an early terrorist who’d tried to blow up Parliament. Nor was he the only traitor. During WWII, spies were also imprisoned and executed here. German Josef Jakobs was the last to be executed in 1941.

Today, there’s a story about the ravens who live at the tower. It’s said that if they ever leave, the Tower and England itself will fall. Be nice to them . . .

Address

The Tower of London, Tower Hill, London, EC3N 4AB

Getting there:

By underground:

  • District or Circle lines to Tower Hill station (then five-minute walk)

By train:

  • The nearest stations are Fenchurch Street or London Bridge (then follow signs)

By bicycle:

  • Find cycle racks on the Wharf opposite the Perkin Reveller restaurant and stands (three) next to the shop at the tower. (Do not attach bicycles to railings.)

By Docklands Light Railway (DLR):

  • Take to Tower Gateway Station (then follow signs)

By bus:

  • Routes 15, 42, 78, 100, RV1 and sightseeing buses

By riverboat:

  • From Charing Cross, Westminster and Greenwich to Tower Pier

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Price (per adult)

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Tower of London and private audience with Beefeater guard
Attractions & guided tours

Tower of London and private audience with Beefeater guard

Book your Tower of London private tour with a Beefeater to get early access to the Jewel House and discover one of the country's most iconic landmarks.

free cancellation
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en 

Best of Royal London Guided Tour With Tower of London and Westminster
Walking tours

Best of Royal London Guided Tour With Tower of London and Westminster

Book this Royal London tour now and skip the general access lines to the Tower of London. Enjoy a cruise up the Thames and a Westminster walking tour.

free cancellation
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Early access Crown Jewels and Tower of London guided tour
Attractions & guided tours

Early access Crown Jewels and Tower of London guided tour

Book this early access Crown Jewels and Tower of London guided tour to learn about the medieval history of this historic monument ahead of the crowds.

free cancellation
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en 

London city tour hop-on hop-off bus
Top seller
Activities

London city tour hop-on hop-off bus

Book your London city hop-on-hop-off bus tour. Hop aboard the double-decker open-top bus and enjoy the best views of the city!

free cancellation
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The London Pass® by Go City
Attractions & guided tours

The London Pass® by Go City

Explore London with The London Pass® and gain free entry to over 90 top attractions, fast track access, a free guidebook and special offers.

free cancellation
Instant Confirmation
London In One Day Tour with River Cruise
Activities

London In One Day Tour with River Cruise

Discover London's iconic landmarks, Changing of the Guard, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower of London history, and Thames River Cruise. Book your daily tour now!

free cancellation
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Old City of London guided walking tour
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Old City of London guided walking tour

Book this tour of the Old City now to discover the secrets of London's most historic district and visit iconic sites on a guided walk through history.

free cancellation
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Old City of London guided walking tour
Activities

Old City of London guided walking tour

Book this tour of the Old City now to discover the secrets of London's most historic district and visit iconic sites on a guided walk through history.

Duration up to 2 hours 30 minutes
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London self-guided audio tour
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London self-guided audio tour

Book this self-guided tour of London now to explore the city at your pace using an app with over 130 points of interest, sights and walking tours.

Validity Flexible
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en, it, fr, es, de, +1  zh

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London bus tour with Tower of London and St Paul's Cathedral
Activities

London bus tour with Tower of London and St Paul's Cathedral

Book your London bus tour with Musement for a full day of sightseeing with the Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral, a Thames boat ride.

Duration up to 9 hours
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London day tour including London Eye tickets and Thames boat ride
Activities

London day tour including London Eye tickets and Thames boat ride

Discover London's top attractions including the London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London on this fascinating day tour. You'll also enjoy a boat ride on the River Thames!

free cancellation
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London top sights guided walking tour
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London top sights guided walking tour

Book this 5-hour walking tour of London! Discover the history, culture, and legends of London and see more than 30 top sights!

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Tower of London

Tower of London

London

United Kingdom

Reviews Tower of London

5/5
Peter, 03 Oct 2015
5/5
Marcela, 21 Jan 2015

“Mis amigas y yo quedamos muy complacidas con este tour y recibimos informaciones muy interesantes sobre estas atracciones de la ciudad”

4/5
GDPR Expired data, 21 Jan 2015

“Esta excursión fue muy positiva e interesante”

4/5
Robert, 21 Jan 2015

“I love London and this tour is the perfect way to explore the city”

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