Things to see at Tower of London

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In the Easter holidays we went back to the Tower of London for the first time in a long time. We bought Historic Royal Palaces membership for the year and it’s a great investment for a family who all really enjoy history – and the Tower of London was our second use of it after a trip to Hampton Court Palace for their Golden Bunny Hunt the month before!

Where is the Tower of London?

The Tower of London is in the City of London, one of the most historic, and oldest, parts of London. It sits on the bank of the River Thames, right next to Tower Bridge and easily accessible from all over the capital and further afield thanks to London’s great transport links. The nearest station is Tower Hill on the District, Circle and DLR lines.

What is the Tower of London?

The Tower of London is London’s iconic castle and also a World Heritage Site. It’s home of the Crown Jewels – as well as the legendary Yeoman Warders and ravens. It dates all the way back to 1066 and the Norman Conquest.

Things to do at Tower of London

Here are all the things to do at the Tower of London. Spoiler alert – you might need a second day to see it all! We definitely always prioritise our favourite things or things we haven’t seen in a while.

See the Crown Jewels

The Crown Jewels are always a must-see for any visit to the Tower of London. They have been stored and displayed at the Tower of London since 1661 along with many other precious objects that have been stored there.

Take a Yeoman Warder tour

The Yeoman Warder tours are free tours that give you better insight into the tower, what it’s like to live there, the warder roles and the vast history held within the tower walls. We have experienced Yeoman Warder tours on previous Tower of London visits and would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting for the first or only time.

The Yeoman Warders – also called Beefeaters – share stories covering a thousand years of history. They always make the tours entertaining and intriguing – featuring stories of imprisonment, execution, torture and more.

See the Ravens

We love seeing the famous ravens at the Tower of London. You get to see them both in their lodgings and also meandering around the South Lawn. They take their job as Guardians of the Tower very seriously and it’s lovely to see them here and there during our visits.

Walk the Battlements

Everyone will love to walk the Tower of London’s famous walls. Walking around the battlements takes you through different towers, each filled with their own stories and secrets from years gone by.

There are three different sections of the wall to explore and walk along – South Battlements, East Battlements and North Battlements which each run along a one way style system with a lot to see along the route.

Visit Tower Green and Scaffold site

The Tower Green lawn is a lovely, green space but, around there is where ten people were executed – by beheading or firing squad. There’s a monument there now, dedicated to the victims, which is really poignant to see.

Explore the Bloody Tower

The Bloody Tower is the most infamous prison at the Tower of London and when you visit you can learn about how the tower got it’s name and some of the people held there.

Visit the Torture at the Tower Exhibition

The Torture at the Tower Exhibition explores the methods of torture used at the Tower of London through the ages. It features replicas of the instruments of torture that would have been used as well as telling more about how prisoners were treated – and tortured.

See the Royal Beasts Exhibition

Around the Tower of London there are Royal Beasts to admire. These are replicas of exotic animals kept at the Tower for over 600 years. The Royal Menagerie included lions, tigers, monkeys, elephants, zebras, alligators, bears and kangaroos.

Learn about the Tower’s Mint

The Royal Mint at the Tower is an interactive exhibition which tells the story of the Mint when it was based at the Tower of London between 1279 and 1812.

Visit the Imprisonment at the Tower Exhibition

The Imprisonment at the Tower Exhibition explains how and why people ended up as prisoners in the Tower of London – and showcases the rooms where some of them were held.

Explore the White Tower

The White Tower is Britain’s most famous castle and arguably the most famous castle keep in the world. It was built William the Conqueror and is now packed full of exhibits explaining how the building, and the wider Tower of London, has been used through the centuries.

Admire the Line of Kings

Situated within the White Tower, the Line of Kings is an exhibition of some of the armour owned by Britain’s former kings, displayed on beautifully carved horses. This is one of the earliest known museum exhibits at the Tower of London, created for King Charles II after the English Civil Wars.

Visit St John’s Chapel

The Chapel of St John the Evangelist in the White Tower is the most complete surviving example of early Anglo-Norman royal ecclesiastical architecture. It was built as a place of worship for William the Conqueror but wasn’t finished until after his death.

Explore the Medieval Palace

The Medieval Palace really brings history to life. It takes you back to the 1200s and into the households of kings Henry III and Edward I. You’ll get to meet people who lived and worked in the tower and see the Medieval Palace comes alive with textiles and wall paintings, showcasing the richness of the medieval world.

Visit the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula

The Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula has been the Tower’s parish church for over 500 years and it’s also the final resting place for many who lived at the Tower and also those imprisoned within its walls.

See the Guards at the Tower of London

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. They’re serving military personnel and you can see them posted outside the Jewel House and The King’s House, in full military dress, unique to each regiment.

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

Explore the Fusilier Museum

The Fusilier Museum has a fascinating collection including 12 Victoria Cross Medals won by the Regiment, the uniform and bearskin of King George V and an Eagle Standard of the 82nd Regiment of the French Line captured by the Royal Fusiliers during the Napoleonic Wars.

The public outside areas of the Tower

And if that wasn’t enough, you can also make the most of the vast public areas outside of the Tower of London. Admire the tower walls from all angles, look down into the moat and take in the views along and across the Thames too. There are some of the most spectacular views of Tower Bridge from here – and you may even see the bridge lift if you’re lucky!

We had such a nice day at the Tower of London and can’t wait to go back. It’s such a great day out, whether you spend all day there or just a couple of hours. There’s always something to see, tours to tag along with or a new exhibition running.

You can find out more about visiting the Tower of London over on their website and for reference the address is: London EC3N 4AB

If you’re looking for more things to do in London, these articles might help:

Where is the Tower of London?

What is the Tower of London?