This monument has seen the rise and fall of many monarchs. It stands as a remnant of the fascinating and gory English past. The Tower of London is one of the oldest intact buildings in London. You can book a Tower of London guided tour to get an immersive and informative experience.
The Tower of London houses many attractions. The building is also guarded by an ‘unkindness’ of ravens. Ravens have guarded this building for centuries and continue to do so. Here, you can also explore the Bloody Tower, the Medieval Palace, and the Norman-style White Tower.
Read this article before booking your Tower of London tour tickets. This article will tell you everything you need to know about this legendary monument.
Brief History Of the Magnificent Tower Of London
It all started when in 1066, William the Conquerer invaded Britain. His invasion ended the centuries-old Anglo-Saxon rule. For William, the Conquerer hereby referred to as William the First, Britain was not just another invaded land.
He wanted to build castles to gain more control over this land. Hence, from 1066 through to 1087, he built nearly 700 castles across England and Wales.
London was his capital city. So it goes without saying that he needed to build an impressive castle here. The construction of the Tower Of London started in 1066. Initially, it was just a simple timber structure.
However, in the 1080s, it transformed into a magnificent stone structure. The Tower was built over pre-existing Roman fortifications that formed a part of the Roman city wall.
The Tower Of London went through many changes and fortifications over the centuries. Extra fortifications were added, which included defensive towers, thick walls; and building for accommodation, munition storage, and holding prisoners.
Today the Tower Of London consists of a series of defensive structures. When you first enter the building, you come across the moat.
Then there is a defensive wall- the outer ward- and then another defensive wall- the inner ward. After crossing a series of defenses, you come across the innermost ward. And herein stands the White Tower.
The Tower of London has stood witness to some of the most important events in the history of London. It has seen the executions of multiple important figures. It has seen the rulers turning into dust and begging for their lives.
As many as 112 people were executed at the Tower for 400 years. Those included Henry VIII’s wives, religious and political prisoners, and even a few German Spies during World War II.
Today the Tower of London attracts visitors from all over the world. It is also the home of the Crown Jewels and the regimental headquarters of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Read More : 10 Things to Know Before Visiting Windsor Castle
Location Of the Tower Of London
Situated on the north bank of the River Thames, next to Tower Bridge, the Tower Of London is difficult to miss. Its address is London EC3N 4AB. Visitors are required to enter the Tower from the left side of the building.
The ticket counters and security area are also at the west gate of the Tower. Here you will also find a welcome center and a souvenir shop.
How To Reach the Tower Of London
There are multiple alternative for getting to the Tower of London. We have mentioned the most popular options below-
Tube
Tower Hill is the nearest tube station to the Tower Of London. It is just a short 5-minute walk from the attraction. Other nearby stations (within 15 minutes walk) include Aldgate East, Aldgate, Monument, Bank London Bridge, Tower Gateway, and Fenchurch Street.
Public Bus
15,42,78,100 and RV1 are the bus services that stop near the Tower of London.
Train
The nearest station to the Tower of London is London Bridge Station. It is around 15 minutes from the attraction. The Liverpool Street station is a 20-minute walk from the attraction.
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
If you wish to combine the Tower of London with other prominent attractions, then you can opt for a sightseeing tour. You can book a London hop-on hop-off bus ticket that stops at the Tower of London.
This tour would give you the flexibility to explore the Tower to your heart’s content. Once you are satiated with enough knowledge, you can hop on the next sightseeing bus and continue your journey.
Tower Of London Opening Times
Normally the Tower of London opens between 9 am and 10 am and closes between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm. These timings vary according to the seasons. They can also change because of the school holidays. The usual timings are as follows-
Summer (1st March to 31st October)
- Sunday to Monday: 10 am to 5:30 pm
- Tuesday to Saturday: 9 am to 5:30 pm
Winter (1st November to 28th February)
- Sunday to Monday: 10 am to 4:30 pm
- Tuesday to Saturday: 9 am to 4:30 pm
They do not admit any more visitors one hour and ninety minutes before the closing time. However, if you want to experience the best of the Tower, then you need to spend at least three hours here.
Remember that opening times can change. Do check the official website before your visit for updates if any.
The Tower Of London tickets
In our opinion, it is always better to book the tickets in advance. This helps you to avoid long queues at the ticket counter.
In 2022, the following were the ticket prices-
- Adult – £29.90 peak, £28.90 off-peak
- Child (age 5-15) – £14.90 peak, £14.40 off-peak
- Concession (age 65+, 16-17, full-time student, disabled visitors) – £24.00 peak, £23.20 off-peak
- Child under 5 years – Free
The Tower of London also offers family tickets. The options include-
- Family saver 1 (1 adult and up to 3 children aged 5-15) – £52.20 peak, £50.50 off-peak
- Family saver 2 (2 adults and up to 3 children aged 5-15) – £82.10 peak, £79.40 off-peak
Ticket Inclusions
The Tower Of London ticket allows you to see the Crown Jewels, enter the White Tower, and explore the Chapel of St. Peter. It also gives you access to the Battlements and the Medieval Palace.
You can also see the Torture at the Tower Exhibition, the Fusiliers Museum, the Beauchamp Tower, and the Royal Mint Exhibition. It also gives you a chance to take the ‘Armoury In Action’ experience.
Audio guides are not included. But you can purchase it separately. It costs £5 for adults and £4 for children.
Accessibility
Historic Royal Palaces operate the Tower of London. They have tried to make the Tower as special-needs friendly as possible. However, since this structure was constructed during Medieval times, there are steep staircases and narrow passageways, which would be difficult for wheelchair-bound visitors to access.
The outdoors areas are completely safe and accessible to people with special needs. Registered disabled people are allowed to bring a carer free of charge. To avail of this, you need to carry proof of your disability.
We hope we have covered everything that you wanted to know about the Tower. If this information has excited you, then you should book the tickets now without further ado!