The Tower of London is one of the most incredible historical sites in London, and home to more than 900 years of English history. In this guide to visiting the Tower of London, I’ve included the best things to see in the Tower of London, alongside some of the most interesting history that happened at the Tower, to give you some context for what you’re seeing.
English history comes to life at the Tower of London. You can see the Crown Jewels, take a tour guided by a Yeoman Warder (aka Beefeater), visit the White Tower, which is one of the most iconic castle keeps in Europe, tour the private chambers of former kings, and visit the burial sites of some of England’s most famous figures from the Tudor period, including Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, Thomas Cromwell and Lady Jane Grey.
I visited the Tower of London during our 5 day trip to London, and I’m surprised it took me three visits to finally get here! My previous trips to London have been brief, and you need a few hours to do a visit to the Tower of London justice.
Visiting the Tower of London
The Tower of London is one of the most significant historic sights in London, and in my opinion, a must-visit.
You need to purchase your tickets to The Tower of London in advance, because they will likely be sold out for the day, before the gates have even opened. You can purchase your tickets online.
Even with pre-purchased tickets, it’s advisable to arrive 15-30 minutes prior to open, to join the queue. The Tower of London is seriously popular.
Plan to spend a few hours at the Tower of London. This is not an activity you want to try and squeeze in, make sure you’ve got enough time to spend as long as you want exploring – it’s enormous.
A very brief history of the Tower of London
The Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror, near the end of the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is nearly 1000 years old, and has been witness – and centre stage – for some of the most dramatic chapters of English history. It has served as a royal residence, an amory, a treasury, home to the Royal Mint, a prison and today, is still home to the Crown Jewels of England.
Some of the most notable events in the Tower’s long history include the infamous murder of “The Princes in the Tower”, 12 year old Prince Edward V and his younger brother Richard, who disappeared from the Tower, and are presumed to have been murdered under the orders of their uncle, who became King Richard III.
Queen Elizabeth I was held in the tower before she became Queen, Guy Fawkes was tortured in the Tower until he confessed to the Gunpowder Plot, and Anne Boleyn was executed here.
Super Bloom in the Moat
Every summer, the moat at the Tower of London bursts into a super bloom of wildflowers. From late May through to early September, the moat fills with brilliant red and gold poppies, blue cornflowers, fresh white daisies and an abundance of other flower species, in a dazzling display of biodiversity.
The moat was transformed from a dry, barren lawn into a beautiful biodiverse landscape in 2022, to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.
The super bloom in the moat at the Tower of London was a lovely surprise, and one of my favourite features of the Tower! It’s a beautiful way for The Tower to continue living and changing with the city of London.
Yeoman Warder Tours
The Yeoman Warders are a London icon, and a true highlight of any visit to The Tower of London. The Yeoman Warders, more commonly known as Beefeaters, are the ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London.
The Yeoman Warders hold free guided tours of the Tower of London, which depart near the gates every 30 minutes.
Becoming a Yeoman Warder is an honour and a privilege, bestowed upon former warrant officers who have retired from the British Armed Force. They must have served for a minimum of 22 years of service, and have been awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
Arrive as early as you can before the tour starts, as there could be a hundred people on your tour and the beefeater tours are conducted without a microphone. The beefeaters might have the lungs of a drill sergeant, but you’ll still be struggling to hear them if you’re near the back of the pack.
It’s worth waiting for a beefeater tour of the Tower of London, because it is such a unique experience, and they are such passionate custodians of the Tower. They’ve got the best stories!
The Crown Jewels
My favourite part of the Tower of London! The Crown Jewels are on display in the Tower of London, and are a highlight of any visit. The Crown Jewels are a working collection of crowns, tiaras, scepters and other royal regalia, still in use by the monarchy today.
Unfortunately, photography is prohibited inside the Jewel House, so I don’t have any photos.
Located inside the Jewel House, the crown jewels are on display in glass cases in the centre of the room. Conveyor belts on either side keep the crowd moving, and it’s easy enough to go around more than once if you want another look – like I did.
Highlights from the Crown Jewels collection include the Imperial State Crown, which contains the enormous Black Prince’s Ruby, as well as 3 other rubies, 11 emeralds, 17 sapphires, 269 pearls and 2868 diamonds.
The Koh-i-noor diamond is on display, set into the extravagant crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, in 1937.
The White Tower
The White Tower is the heart of the Tower of London. The White Tower is a “keep”, which is the strongest fortification within a castle, and where the King or Queen would stay when they were at the castle. The White Tower is beautiful, and the best example of an 11th century keep in all of Europe.
Inside the White Tower, you can visit the Chapel of St John the Evangelist, which is where kings and queens would have worshipped when at the Tower of London. More than 900 years old, it is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Britain.
You’ll also find the Royal Armouries, which showcases the armour of Henry VIII, Charles I and James II to name a few, as part of the Line of Kings exhibition.
The final resting place of Anne Boleyn
The Chapel Royal of St Peter Ad Vicula at the Tower of London is the burial place for several of the most famous prisoners executed at the Tower of London, including three former queens, Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey, and high profile Tudor figures Thomas More and Thomas Cromwell.
There has been a chapel or place of worship on this site for more than a thousand years, pre-dating the Tower of London, and was built in its current form in the 13th century. It was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in the 16th century, under the Tudors.
While I don’t agree that it is the saddest spot on earth, I think this passage from poet and historian Thomas Babington Macaulay captures the tragedies that the Chapel holds very well:
“In truth there is no sadder spot on the earth than that little cemetery. Death is there associated, not, as in Westminster Abbey and Saint Paul’s, with genius and virtue, with public veneration and with imperishable renown; not, as in our humblest churches and churchyards, with everything that is most endearing in social and domestic charities; but with whatever is darkest in human nature and in human destiny, with the savage triumph of implacable enemies, with the inconstancy, the ingratitude, the cowardice of friends, with all the miseries of fallen greatness and of blighted fame.”
Tower Green
The grimmest place inside the Tower of London is Tower Green. The Tower of London was used as an execution site for only high profile or controversial prisoners, to keep large, rowdy crowds away from the execution. On this lawn, 10 prisoners were executed, including the aforementioned queens, Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey.
Today there is a memorial, commemorating those who lost their lives here.
The Medieval Palace
Three towers are known collectively as the Medieval Palace: St Thomas’ Tower, the Wakefield Tower and the Lanthorn Tower. These were the royal residences at the Tower of London, and were furnished to be fit for a king.
St Thomas’ Tower
Today, Edward I’s bedchamber in St Thomas’ Tower has been recreated as they would have been in the 13th century, during the reign of King Edward I (1272-1307), aka Edward Longshanks.
The Wakefield Tower
The Wakefield Tower’s main room is a private audience chamber for the king. It contains a replica throne and canopy. The King’s Private Chapel is adjacent to the chamber.
Henry VI died here, on 21 May 1471, while he was being kept prisoner in the Tower during the Wars of the Roses. Some say he died of a broken heart, after learning that his son, Edward Prince of Wales, was killed in battle. His supporters believed he was actually stabbed to death, while praying in the chapel.
Henry VI founded both Eton College and King’s College, Cambridge. Every year, representatives from both colleges attend the Ceremony of the Lilies and the Roses in the Chapel, on the anniversary of his death.
Hello! I’m an Australian travel blogger, living in Melbourne, Australia. I grew up in Brisbane, studied in Paris, lived & worked in New York City and now live in Melbourne, Australia.
I love sharing specific and useful recommendations, itineraries and guides for the most beautiful things to see, do, experience & eat wherever I go.
My favourite travel destinations are Australia, New York City & surrounds, France, Greece & Japan, but I’m always excited to explore somewhere new!
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