Tower of London Visitor’s Guide: What to Know Before You Go

Welcome to your ultimate Tower of London Visitor’s Guide: What to Know Before You Go!
If you’ve ever scrolled through London travel inspo, you’ve definitely seen the Tower of London pop up. Sitting right by the River Thames and Tower Bridge, it’s one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. But let’s be real, with its hefty ticket price and constant crowds, you might wonder: is it actually worth it?
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know before visiting. From practical tips to my honest experience, so you can decide for yourself!

Brief History & Why the Tower of London is So Iconic

The Tower of London isn’t just old, it’s ancient. Built by William the Conqueror in 1078, this fortress has been everything from a royal palace to a prison, a treasury, a zoo, and even a royal mint. (Yeah, seriously. Medieval Londoners could cash their coins here.)
Most famously, it was the place where Anne Boleyn lost her head and where the Crown Jewels have been guarded for centuries. Legend even says the kingdom will fall if the Tower’s ravens ever leave, so they keep a few around, just in case.
It’s one of the few places in London where you can literally walk through 1,000 years of history, all inside some very thick, very spooky stone walls.

Tower of London Visitor’s Guide: What to Know Before You Go

Practical Information & How to Get There

Opening Hours:

Typically 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (last admission around 4:30 PM), but always double-check depending on the season.

Tickets:

You can buy them online or on-site. Bonus tip: if you’re a student (yes, even from outside the UK like me!) bring your student ID and grab that discount!!

Book Your Tickets Here:

You can purchase your Tower of London tickets via Get Your Guide (affiliate link. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you).

Closest Tube Station:

Tower Hill (District and Circle Lines) – just a 5-minute walk.

Extra Tip:

Pack some patience. School groups and tourists are always around, but things get a lot calmer after lunchtime.

Top Highlights You Shouldn’t Miss

The Crown Jewels:
The number one must-see. You’ll walk through a dramatic vault (complete with moving walkway) to gawk at the crowns, swords, and royal bling still used today.
The White Tower:
The oldest part of the fortress, packed with ancient armor, weapons, and history.
The Medieval Palace:
Step inside the recreated royal chambers and imagine yourself living like a 13th-century king or queen.
Tower Green & Scaffold Site:
A small grassy area that’s actually the execution site of famous figures like Anne Boleyn. It’s peaceful now, but super eerie once you know the history.
The Ravens:
You’ll spot them casually wandering around like they own the place. (Technically, they kinda do.) Fun fact: legend says if the ravens ever leave, the Tower and the kingdom will fall! Keep a respectful distance though, they can bite.

My Honest Tower of London Experience: Should You Go?

Okay, real talk:
I’ve been to London more times than I can count, but I never actually went inside the Tower of London until recently. I had always just admired it from the outside. Took a pic here, snapped Tower Bridge there, and honestly didn’t feel the need to fork out the cash to go in. It’s always swarming with tourists, too, so it didn’t seem like a chill experience.

But in April 2025, on my latest London trip, I finally caved.
I went on a Friday, late morning/early afternoon. I bought my ticket on the spot (pro tip: if you’re still in school, any school, even outside the UK, show your student card. I used my Dutch student ID and still got the student discount!).

At first, it was packed with school classes and tourist groups, but after lunch, it really emptied out. No lines for exhibitions anymore, major win!

Now, honesty time:
I thought the Crown Jewels were awesome and totally worth seeing. But the other exhibitions? Meh. I personally found them a little underwhelming.
If you want to get the full vibe and actually learn a lot, you should join a Beefeater tour. They’re free with your ticket, but the groups are huge, which is why I skipped it. Private tours exist, but they cost a small fortune.

What I loved most?
Just wandering around the grounds and the tower walls, taking in the London skyline, spotting the ravens just chilling, and soaking up the medieval atmosphere.
It was really cool to finally see the Tower from the inside once, but honestly? If you’re short on time or have a jam-packed itinerary, it’s not a must-do. Snap a photo from the outside by the Thames with Tower Bridge in the background: boom, you’ve captured the moment!

Conclusion

Thanks for reading my Tower of London Visitor’s Guide: What to Know Before You Go article!
I hope this post helped you figure out whether it’s worth adding to your London bucket list. Whether you go inside or just admire it from the outside, the Tower of London is still a major piece of British history, and now, you’ll know exactly what to expect. Happy exploring!

Xo Bug Girl

Instagram: @thebuggirladventures