London · Tower Hill · beside the Thames
Tower of London: tickets, tours and opening times
A Norman fortress, a royal palace, a prison and the home of the Crown Jewels. Pick your ticket and plan the day.
Today
Opening hours for every month are on the Opening hours page.
Checked against the official website on 31 October 2026 · Official source
In short
- The standard Tower of London ticket is the place to start. It covers the Crown Jewels, the White Tower, the Medieval Palace, the walls and the Yeoman Warder tour, which is free with your entry and runs in English.
- The Tower opens at 9:00 from Tuesday to Saturday and at 10:00 on Sunday and Monday. From March to October last entry is 17:00 and it closes at 17:30. In winter it closes at 16:30 and last entry is in the early afternoon. It is closed on 24, 25 and 26 December and on 1 January.
- Tickets are for a time slot. Arrive within 30 minutes of the time on your ticket: entry earlier or later is not guaranteed. Many dates sell out, so book before you travel.
- Plan on at least two hours. If you want to see everything, count on three or more.
The Crown Jewels
The Jewel House keeps the Crown Jewels under armed guard. The Imperial State Crown carries 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 4 rubies and 269 pearls, and the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross holds the Cullinan I, a diamond of over 530 carats.
A moving walkway runs beside the jewels, so the line keeps moving. Our tip: go to the Jewel House first, as soon as you are in, and see the rest of the Tower while the crowd builds.
The White Tower
William the Conqueror had the White Tower built to overawe London, and work began around 1078. Inside, the Line of Kings shows armour made for Henry VIII, Charles I and James II.
Expect many steps and a one-way route.
Yeoman Warders and ravens
The free Yeoman Warder tour leaves about every 45 minutes from the morning, with no booking needed. The Warders, known as Beefeaters, have guarded the Tower since 1485.
At least six ravens live here, looked after by the Ravenmaster. Legend says that if they ever leave, the Tower and the kingdom will fall.
Traitors' Gate and Tower Green
Prisoners once arrived from the river through Traitors' Gate. Not far away is Tower Green, a place of executions, and Anne Boleyn, executed in 1536, is buried in the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula.