Tower of London – 2022 All you need to know before you go

Thanks for coming to check out our post on Tower of London – 2022 All you need to know before you go. The Tower of London is one of the Historic Royal Palaces and is one of the most well known historic buildings in London. A fortress, a Castle and a Palace all in one it is an iconic Unesco World Heritage Site and absolutely brilliant for a day out with Kids. 

Where is the Tower of London

Tower of London, London, EC3N 4AB

The Tower is located within easy walking distance of several mainline stations including:

• 10-15 mins from London Bridge Station
• 20 min from Liverpool Street Station
• 25 mins from London Charing Cross Station

You can also travel by river boat. Tower Pier is served by river boats travelling from various piers including Westminster and London Eye and is located next to the Tower entrance.

There is a Car Park right next door to main entrance of the Tower of London. 

Opening Times

Summer (01 March – 30 October)

From 1 March

Daily:

Mondays and Sundays: 10.00-17.30. Last admission: 16.30.

Tuesday – Saturday: 09.00-17.30. Last admission: 16.30.

Monday 18 April: 09.00-17.30. Last admission: 16.30.

Monday 2 May: 09.00-17.30. Last admission: 16.30.

Monday 30 May: 09.00-17.30. Last admission: 16.30.

Winter (6 September – 28 February)

10 January to 11 February 2022

Daily: 10.00-16.30. Last admission: 15.30 (15.00 -15.30 timeslot). 

Half term

12 February: 09.00-16.30.  Last admission: 15.30 (15.00 -15.30 timeslot).

13 February:  10.00-16.30. Last admission: 15.30 (15.00 -15.30 timeslot).

14 February to 20 February

09.00-16.30. Last admission: 15.30 (15.00 -15.30 timeslot).

21 February to 28 February 2022

Daily:

Mondays and Sundays: 10.00-16.30. Last admission: 15.30 (15.00 -15.30 timeslot).

Tuesday – Saturday: 09.00-16.30. Last admission: 15.30 (15.00 -15.30 timeslot).

Tower of London Tickets and Prices

It is highly advised to pre book tickets here, even members need to book a time slot.

Peak ticket prices (excluding donation):

• Members: Free
• Adult: £29.90
• Child: £14.90

What is there to do at the Tower of London

The Crown Jewels

You’ll find the Crown Jewels under armed guard in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. These gems are a unique working collection of royal regalia and are still regularly used by The Queen for important national ceremonies, such as the State Opening of Parliament. There are also other Jewels worn by members of the Royal Family on display, including Prince Charles, and it’s quite breathtaking. Be sure to check out how thick the doors are when you walk in – those jewels are heavily protected!

The Ravens

Meet the famous ravens at the Tower of London and learn more about why they are known as the guardians of the Tower, at their lodgings on the South Lawn. Ravens are actually very intelligent birds and can mimic sounds, play games and solve puzzles, they’re really fascinating to see.

Yeomen Warders Tours

Yeoman Warders, also known as ‘Beefeaters’, will share key stories from 1,000 years of history on these free tours. Be entertained by tales of intrigue, imprisonment, execution, torture and much more.

Discover how William the Conqueror built the White Tower and hear tales of the prisoners who entered through Traitors’ Gate.

Yeoman Warders will share details of the famous prisoners executed on Tower Green. Many are now buried nearby in the 16th-century Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula. 

White Tower

Instantly recognisable, the White Tower is the most famous castle keep in the world. It is an iconic symbol of London and the United Kingdom.

Along with the rest of the Tower fortress, the White Tower is part of a World Heritage Site. Inside is a unique Romanesque chapel, the beautiful 11th-century Chapel of St John the Evangelist.

The White Tower showcases the historic and world-class Royal Armouries collections, including the 350-year-old exhibition, Line of Kings, as well as other treasures.

There are many unique and extraordinary arms and and armours on display, including the magnificent royal armours of Henry VIII, Charles I and James II.

Guards at the Tower of London

As serving military personnel, the Tower Guard work alongside the Yeoman Warders and the Tower Wardens to protect the Crown Jewels and ensure the security of the Tower of London. 

The Tower Guard take part in the three daily ceremonies: the Ceremonial Opening, the Ceremony of the Word and the Ceremony of the Keys. 

Medieval Palace

Enter the world of King Henry III and his son Edward I, two medieval kings who did much to give the Tower the appearance it has today.

When Henry and Edward expanded the Tower’s defences in the 13th century, they also added a new, luxurious royal residence. For hundreds of years to come, kings and queens would stay in these rooms.

Torture at the Tower

Head to the Lower Wakefield Tower to find an exhibition about the methods of torture used at the Tower of London. 48 prisoners were physically tortured and interrogated to give up the names of their conspirators. Many others were held in solitary confinement and subject to other psychological tortures.

Tower Green and Scaffold Site

The Tower of London is well known for being a place of execution, arguably the most famous was that of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife. Catherine Howard, also a wife of Henry VIII and Lady Jane Grey also saw the same fate there. You can see the spot where these executions took place on Tower Green.

The Tower’s Mint

Explore the story of the Mint between c1279 and 1812, when it was based at the Tower of London, in The Tower’s Mint: Coins and Kings.

This permanent exhibition at the Tower of London features rare and unique objects from the Royal Mint Museum’s collection.

Discover some of the most famous monarchs who reigned over the Mint and how their coins reflected power struggles and politics.

Beasts of the Royal Menagerie

From the 1200s to 1835, the Tower housed a menagerie of exotic animals, never before seen in London, including lions and a polar bear given as royal gifts. You can see these dotted around the Tower and in some places see where they were housed. 

Food and Drink

New Armouries Cafe

For a full meal the New Armouries Cafe is ideal. From traditional Fish and Chips, to Sandwiches, Soups and Salads there’s something for everyone. Or you could just pop in for an afternoon treat of tea and cake. There’s also plenty of indoor seating here, ideal for a rainy day.

Wharf Kiosk (weekends only)

This kiosk offers hot and cold drinks, cakes and pastries.

There’s also plenty of places to sit within the grounds of the Tower of London to have a picnic.

Special Events at the Tower of London

• Superbloom

Celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen at the Tower of London, where a spectacular, colourful, vibrant field of flowers will fill and transform the Tower’s moat.

In Spring 2022, over 20 million seeds will be sown in the moat from carefully designed seed mixes. From June to September, the flower display will erupt into new colours and patterns creating a dramatic and engaging experience.

Tickets must be bought separately here.

• The Gunpowder Plot

Layered Reality™ and Historic Royal Palaces present The Gunpowder Plot, a thrilling new immersive experience, opening May 2022 at Tower Vaults.

London, 1605. A city divided. The fuse of rebellion is lit. The peace of the nation balances on a knife edge.

Step into a world where spies and informants hide in every shadow. Your mission is to unmask the mysterious figures behind history’s most daring conspiracy. Go undercover and infiltrate their web of treason and plot. But when you’re surrounded by ‘traitors’ who can you trust?

Tickets must be bought separately here.

What else can we do near to the Tower of London?

The Tower of London is located in Central London next to Tower Bridge and you mustn’t miss out on taking a photo of this stunning tourist attraction. If you’re feeling brave, you can even climb it now!

There is a River Cruise Dock just outside the Tower of London from where you can catch a fantastic Cruise down the River Thames to see some of Londons best tourist attractions including the London Eye, Westminster Abbey and Greenwich. This is a fantastic way to take in many of the popular attractions in London.

Thanks for reading Tower of London – 2022 All you need to know before you go. I hope it’s given you loads of inspiration for your visit. If you’d like to read more on what to do in London click on the links below:

Kensington Palace, London

10 Free thing to do in London with Kids