Tower of London

Things to Do Around London - Tower of London

Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space known as Tower Hill.

Founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England, the Tower had many uses including that of a grand palace and royal residency. For many centuries it served as a prison, although that wasn't its primary purpose. Other roles included serving as an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public records office, and the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom (still housed there to this day).

Planning Your Visit

Allow 2-3 hours for your visit. Roam on your own or join a guided tour led by one of the Yeoman Warders (pictured above).   Looking at his picture, doesn't he look like he's just full of information and loves to talk?   If you think so, you are correct.   At some point in time, you might want to deviate from the tour if you've had your fill of history.

Your ticket includes access to the Tower and the Crown Jewels display plus Yeoman Warder guided tour and talk, live historical re-enactments, White Tower tour, children's activity trails, entry to the Fit for a King and Prisoners of the Tower exhibitions and much more!

Visit Traitors' Gate where prisoners accused
of treason are supposed to have passed through,
including Queen Elizabeth

Must See Sights

The White Tower
Crown Jewels
Yeoman Warder tours
Ravens
Medieval Palace
Royal Beasts
Torture at the Tower
Tower Green
Family fun activities

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How to Get There 

By London Underground  

Nearest station: Tower Hill underground station

Directions: Use District or Circle lines to Tower Hill station. Follow directional signage to the Tower. The main entrance is a five minute walk from the station.

By train  

Nearest stations: Fenchurch Street or London Bridge stations

From Fenchurch Street: Exit on to Mark Lane. Turn left on to Byward Street, which will lead you to Tower Hill and the Tower of London.

From London Bridge: Cross the bridge over the River Thames and turn right on to Lower Thames Street. After a 15-minute walk the Tower is located on your right.

By Docklands Light Railway (DLR) 

Tower Gateway Station is located adjacent to Tower Hill station.

Follow directional signage to the main entrance of the Tower.

By bus 

Bus routes: 15, 42, 78, 100, RV1

The Tower is also served by all major sightseeing bus tours.

By riverboat 

Nearest river access: Tower Pier

Directions: Riverboats for Tower Pier depart from Charing Cross, Westminster and Greenwich.

Thames Clippers' fleet of hi-speed catamarans operate daily with departures every 20 minutes from both London Bridge Pier and Tower Pier.

Additional Information (consult official website)

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Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is an official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world. A Royal home and fortress for over 900 years, the Castle remains a working palace today. 

Venturing Further from Central London

Continuing our series on What to do in London, if you are only there for two days, we'll head out by train to Windsor Royal Station for a visit to one of the queen's residences, Windsor Castle. 

Working Royal Residence

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The Queen uses the Castle both as a private home, where she usually spends the weekend, and as a Royal residence at which she undertakes certain formal duties.  In the springtime, she takes up residence for the entire month around Easter (March - April).  This is known as the Easter Court during which she holds several 'dine and sleeps' events for guests, including politicians and public figures.

Windsor Castle is often used by The Queen to host State Visits from overseas monarchs and presidents. Foreign Heads of State enter the Castle in horse-drawn carriages through the George IV Gateway into the quadrangle in the Upper Ward, where a military guard of honour is drawn up.

Many Royal weddings have been celebrated in St George's Chapel, as well as funerals such as those of Princess Margaret and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, have also taken place there. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother lies buried in the Chapel with her husband, King George VI, and Princess Margaret, her younger daughter.

Visitor Information

Many parts of the Castle are open to the public, including the precincts, the State Apartments, Queen Mary's famous dolls' house, St George's Chapel, and the Albert Memorial Chapel.

When The Queen is in official residence, Changing the Guard provides a colourful spectacle in the quadrangle.  At Horse Guards Arch, Changing the Guard takes place daily at 11.00 am (10.00 am on Sundays) and lasts about half an hour; it is normally held on Horse Guards Parade by the arch of Horse Guards Building.   The Guard Mounting is held daily May - July.

How to get there

By train: To Windsor from London Waterloo or London Paddington (National Rail Enquiries Service 08457 484950 (UK)).

By coach: Green Line operates daily services from Victoria Coach Station, London.

Tour companies operate excursions to Windsor Castle from many London hotels. For details, please ask your hotel concierge.

By road: M4 to Exit 6. M3 to Exit 3.
For more information about Windsor and parking, please visit www.windsor.gov.uk.

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