Tower of London

★ 4.7 (121,156)$$$ · Expensive

Founded by William the Conqueror around 1078, the Tower of London has served in turn as royal residence, armoury, prison and execution site, and today holds the Crown Jewels alongside armour once worn by Henry VIII. Its 4.7 rating and over 121,000 reviews reflect how much there is to see across the grounds, from the White Tower to the ravens said to protect the monarchy, and reviewers consistently note it can easily fill half a day. The Yeoman Warder tours, included with entry, are widely regarded as one of London's best free guided experiences for the stories they tell about the site's darker history. It's a strong pick for history-minded visitors and families alike, though the 150-minute duration and required booking mean it needs real time set aside rather than a passing look.

✨ Reasons to go

1Founded around 1078 by William the Conqueror, making it nearly a millennium old.
2Houses the Crown Jewels and armour once worn by Henry VIII within the White Tower.
3Free Yeoman Warder tours, included with entry, recount the site's history as a prison and execution ground.

💡 Good to know

1Book tickets online in advance to skip the queue and save on the walk-up price
2join a Yeoman Warder tour as soon as you arrive, since they run on a schedule and set the context for everything else
3arrive right at opening to see the Crown Jewels before the crowds build.

⏱️ Typical visit

2h30

🕰️ Best time

morning, lunchtime, afternoon or early evening

🚶 Walking intensity

Active — lots of walking

📍

Address

London EC3N 4AB, UKGoogle Apple

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Booking

Booking required

What people say

"A great tour that could take 3 hours if you want to. It was even enough to keep my 11 and 8 year old entertained for the whole journey, even though it was scorching hot. Would very much recommend going through the white tour and chapel. You could skip the bloody tower, but the wall was enjoyable and a lot of interactive exhibits."

— Reagan Barry

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