March 25, 2025 • 14 mins
Get ready to uncover the wonders of one of London’s most significant landmarks, the Tower of London! Standing proud on the banks of the River Thames, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a treasure trove of history, filled with captivating tales that span nearly a millennium.
In this episode, we delve into the Tower's fascinating origins, exploring its various incarnations as a royal palace, a fortress, and a notorious prison. Prepare to hear about the infamous figures tied to this iconic site, including Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey, whose legacies linger within its ancient walls.
We’ll also shine a light on must-see attractions, such as the stunning Crown Jewels, which have mesmerised over three million visitors annually. Learn practical tips for navigating the site, including optimal visiting times, and hear about the engaging stories from the Yeoman Warders that breathe life into this historical treasure.
From hidden gems like the prisoner graffiti in the Beauchamp Tower to the quieter reflective spaces of Tower Green, every aspect of the Tower holds an intriguing story waiting to be shared. We also discuss the importance of planning your visit effectively and elaborate on how to make the most of your time while exploring this monumental landmark.
Whether you are a history lover, a royal enthusiast, or simply curious about London’s rich past, the Tower of London offers something for everyone. Join us as we unlock the mysteries of this captivating place and prepare for your next adventure in the heart of London. Don't forget to subscribe and share your own Tower of London experiences with us!
📝 Show Notes - Episode 142
🎧 Listen to next
- Episode 133 - Discovering London (5 unmissable experiences for 2025)
- Episode 126 - London Pass Itinerary Challenge
- Episode 105 - Top London Experiences for 2024
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Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Are you thinking about visiting one of London's
most iconic landmarks?
In episode 142 of the UK TravelPlanning Podcast, I'm diving
into everything you need to knowabout the Tower of London, a
place packed with history,intrigue and must-see sights
From the crown jewels tocenturies of royal stories.
I'll help you make the most ofyour visit.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Welcome to the UK Travel Planning Podcast.
Your host is the founder of theUK Travel Planning website,
Tracey Collins.
In this podcast, Tracey sharesdestination guides, travel tips
and itinerary ideas, as well asinterviews with a variety of
guests who share their knowledgeand experience of UK travel to
help you plan your perfect UKvacation.
(00:43):
Join us as we explore the UKfrom cosmopolitan cities to
quaint villages, from historiccastles to beautiful islands,
and from the picturesquecountryside to seaside towns.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Hello and welcome to this week's podcast episode.
In today's episode, we'rediving into the fascinating
world of the Tower of London.
As one of the most popularattractions in London, this
historic site draws over 3million visitors every year who
are captivated by its richhistory, iconic sites and
enduring traditions.
Now, over the years, I've hadthe privilege of visiting the
(01:21):
Tower of London many, many timesIn fact, I don't think I can
actually count up how many timesI've been and each visit
reveals something new to see andlearn.
So in this podcast, I'll guideyou through everything you need
to know to make the most of yourvisit to the Tower of London.
You'll hear about must-seehighlights like the crown jewels
and hidden gems such as theprisoner graffiti and the
(01:42):
Beauchamp Tower.
I'll also give you my tried andtested practical tips for
navigating this remarkable site.
So grab a cup of tea, get comfyand let's explore why the Tower
of London remains a must-seedestination.
The Tower of London is more thanjust a historic fortress.
It's a UNESCO World HeritageSite and one of the most iconic
(02:03):
symbols of London and of the UK.
It was built by William theConqueror in 1066 and it's
served many roles over thecenturies it's been a royal
palace, a prison, an armoury andeven a zoo.
Today it stands as a testamentto nearly 1,000 years of British
history and is home to thecrown jewels and the famous
yeoman warders, also known asbeefeaters.
(02:24):
The tower's history is asfascinating as it is complex,
filled with tales of intrigue,betrayal and power struggles.
It's a place where royaltylived and events which shaped
England's history unfolded.
Anne Boleyn, the second wife ofHenry VIII, is perhaps the most
famous of those who met theirfate within these walls.
But the tower has also seenprisoners ranging from princes
(02:46):
to political figures to spies.
Walking through its gates islike stepping into a living
storybook, where every stone haswitnessed centuries of drama
and intrigue.
Now let's talk about must-seehighlights when you visit the
Tower of London.
It's important to know that theTower of London is not just one
building.
Inside the tower's exteriorwalls there are lots of
individual buildings.
So the first and exterior wallsthere are lots of individual
buildings.
So the first and foremosthighlight of the site are the
(03:08):
crown jewels of the Britishmonarchy.
So these priceless items arehoused in the jewel house and
they're not to be missed.
You'll see dazzling crowns,scepters and orbs which are
still used by the British royalfamily today.
My tip for visiting the crownjewels is to visit early in the
morning or late in the afternoonto avoid the longest queues.
It's one of the most popularattractions on site, so the
(03:29):
lines can get to get into thejewel house can be very long,
particularly in peak season, andI know I've been in to see the
Crown Jewels and come out of thejewel house and can't believe
how quick the line has grown.
So it's really important to getin there first.
If you can get into the Towerof London early in the morning
(03:49):
when it first opens, go straightto see the Crown Jewels that's
the best thing to do or later inthe afternoon, anyway.
Another highlight is the WhiteTower.
This central military keepdates back to Norman times and
it's the oldest part of theTower of London complex and
houses fascinating exhibits suchas Henry VIII's armour and a
collection of medieval weapons.
So you can actually see howHenry VIII got slightly larger
(04:12):
by looking at his armoury,because it also gets larger.
Now.
Don't forget to visit theChapel of St Peter ad Vincula.
Now.
This serene chapel is the finalresting place of some of the
tower's most famous historicalfigures, including Anne Boleyn,
catherine Howard and Lady JaneGrey.
It's a poignant reminder of thetower's darker history and it's
(04:33):
really a must-see for historyenthusiasts.
Finally, I recommend making timefor a Yeoman Warder tour.
Yeoman Warders, more commonlyknown as Beefeaters, are the
ceremonial guards of the Towerof London and are famous the
world over for their red andgold tunics and floral black
hats, though you're more likelyto see the warders in their day
dress, which is a black tunicwith red piping.
(04:53):
The Beefeaters have beenserving the Tower since 1485 and
it may interest you to knowthat to be a Beefeater, you must
have served in the BritishArmed Forces for at least 22
years.
The Beefeaters live on site, sothey know their home very well,
and there are currently around32 ex-servicemen and women
serving as warders at the Towers.
Beefeater-led tours are free,with your entrance ticket and
(05:16):
don't need pre-booking.
They depart every 30 minutesfrom near the tower entrance and
I think they offer anentertaining and insightful look
into the tower's history, and Ifind them funny, engaging and
full of insider stories youwon't get anywhere else, and I
think those tours really bringthe tower's history to life.
So, if you can, don't miss oneof the Yeoman Water Tours Now.
(05:37):
The Tower of London isn't justabout its big ticket items.
There are some hidden gems todiscover too.
One of my favourites are theTower's Black Ravens.
Now, legend has it that ifthese birds ever leave the Tower
, the kingdom will fall, so, asa result, the birds are well
looked after.
They're cared for by adedicated raven master, who
gives each bird a name.
The current Tower of Londonravens are Jubilee, harris,
(06:00):
poppy, georgie, edgar, branwenand Rex and the raven master
ensures they're well fed,healthy and happy, so their
presence is considered vital tothe kingdom.
Another unique experience at theTower of London is the Ceremony
of the Keys, when the YeomanWarders lock the tower each
night.
It's a nightly ritual that hasremained unchanged for over 700
(06:22):
years Now.
Tickets for the ceremony arehighly sought after and must be
booked well in advance.
Now I've been lucky enough toattend a couple of times
actually, and I promise you it'sabsolutely amazing.
I've been very lucky to havebeen invited by Walks Tours to
go to the VIP ceremony of theKeys Tour, which basically gives
(06:42):
you access to Yeoman Warder forabout an hour, I think it is,
before you actually witness theceremony, which is amazing
because you get in a small group.
You get the opportunity toactually chat with the Yeoman
Warder about living in the tower, about the history of the tower
.
They share loads of things withyou that obviously they can't
do when you've got the largergroups, because the free Yirrman
(07:06):
Warder tours are excellent andyou do get them.
As you know, they're free aspart of your tickets.
Go into the Tower of London, butyou can find that they're
really crowded.
There could be like a couple ofhundred people.
I've been before and so youcan't get that individual
attention that you can do if youdo something special like the
um the walks VIP summer of thekeys tour.
So I'd highly recommend that.
(07:26):
But however you do it, howeveryou attend the summer of the
keys.
Honestly, believe me, you'llnever forget it.
You're not allowed to takephotos, you're not allowed to
take videos.
This is an extremely solemnceremony, which you know and you
are taking part in history.
This is something that's goneon for 700 years, so it's
amazing to actually beprivileged enough to attend that
(07:48):
ceremony as well each morning.
And that's also worthconsidering because that event
sees the Yeoman Warder andmilitary personnel actually open
the tower gates, marking thestart of another day at this
historic site.
And again, I've managed toattend the opening ceremony.
I've been invited to that withanother tour with Walks Tours in
(08:11):
London, so you can go and, witha small group of other people,
actually observe the openingceremony and have a tour guide
as well, who kind of explainswhat's happening.
You do spend some time with theyeoman warder, who also he will
take you and show you where tostand, and then after that you
have a tour of the Tower ofLondon as well.
So that's also excellent andworth doing.
(08:32):
There's a review of that, bothof these actually on the website
, so you can have a look at myphotos and my comments about
both of these tours that I havedone, which are excellent.
Now for a more somber experience, I recommend visiting Tower
Green.
This quiet spot is really aplace of reflection where you
can learn about the famousfigures who were executed here,
which of course includes AnneBoleyn and Catherine Howard.
(08:54):
If you have time, don't missthe tower dungeon and the
graffiti left by prisoners onthe walls of the Beauchamp Tower
.
It's a haunted reminder of thetower's darker past as a prison.
Now let's think about practicaltips for your visit.
So planning ahead is key tomaking the most of your time at
the Tower of London.
(09:15):
There's a lot to see and a lotof ground to cover, so make sure
you leave adequate time foryour visit.
So, genuinely, I recommendallocating at least three hours
for your visit.
Please don't think you can goto the Tower of London and
experience it and see it all inan hour, because that's not
going to happen.
The Tower of London can getquite busy, especially during
peak time, so I do recommendbooking your tickets online in
(09:36):
advance.
It will save you time on theday and ensure you secure an
entry for your preferred dateand time.
Now, when you book online,you'll need to select a date and
a time slot.
It's important to stick to thistime, as entry before after
your time slot is not guaranteed.
Now you can arrive within 30minutes of your allocated ticket
time, and there are priceconcessions available for
children under 17,.
Students with ID and seniorsover 65 and children under four
(10:01):
do go free.
Now you can make changes toyour booking up to three days
before your scheduled date,though you'll be charged an
amendment fee, and note thatre-entry is not permitted.
So make sure you see and doeverything you want to before
you leave the grounds.
Now the towers open and hours dovary slightly depending on the
season.
So generally it's open sevendays a week In the winter months
(10:22):
from 9am to 4.30pm, but thatclosing time is extended to
5.30pm in the summer.
However, the last time you canenter the tower is 3pm in the
winter and 4pm in summer, andthe last time you can enter the
tower is 3 pm in the winter and4 pm in summer, and the last
yeoman water tour, which isincluded with the ticket, is at
2 30 pm.
The tower is closed on certainholidays, including christmas
eve, christmas day and boxingday, but I do recommend checking
(10:44):
the official website before youvisit for most up-to-date
information.
And the tower of london.
The entry to the Tower ofLondon is included in the London
Pass if you're consideringbuying a London Pass Now.
The Tower of London sits on thebanks of the Thames in East
London, adjacent to Tower Bridge, and you can get there by tube.
It's a five-minute walk fromTower Hill tube station on the
District or Circle line, or, fora more impressive arrival, why
(11:07):
not arrive by boat on the Thames?
When it comes to time, aim toarrive early, at opening time if
possible, or even before tojoin the queue.
Alternatively, go later in theafternoon.
If you visit these towns,you'll be rewarded with smaller
crowds.
Now be prepared for schoolgroups if you visit during UK
school term time and be preparedfor lots of families in UK
school holidays.
(11:27):
If you're travelling with kids,the Tower puts on special
events for kids during UK schoolholidays.
If you're traveling with kids,the tower puts on special events
for kids during UK schoolholidays and these are usually
included in the cost of yourticket.
You can buy a multilingualaudio guide with your ticket to
explore on your own or, as Imentioned earlier, try to join a
Yeoman Warder tour, but notethat those tours are only in
English.
You can also use a visualBritish Sign Language guide if
(11:49):
needed.
Guide dogs and other registeredassistant dogs are welcome at
the Tower If you are awheelchair user.
Due to the historic nature ofthe building, there are a number
of difficult stairs,passageways, steps and cobbled
surfaces, which does make accessdifficult.
There is an official accessguide to the Tower of London and
(12:10):
I will include a link in theshow notes.
Wear comfortable shoes.
There's a lot of walkinginvolved, including uneven
cobblestone paths, so watch yourfooting as there are steps
around the site.
There's also little shade inthe outdoor areas of the tower,
so you may want to bring a sunhat in summer or a raincoat in
winter.
Now you can take photos insidethe tower, but in some rooms,
(12:32):
such as the Crown Jewels, it'sstrictly forbidden.
Look out for the signs.
You aren't allowed tripods orselfie sticks.
There isn't luggage storage onsite, so you'll have to carry
what you bring.
Large backpacks and bags biggerthan cabin carry-on are not
permitted.
There are two cafes on site,one indoor and one outdoor,
serving hot foods and snacks,plus a couple of kiosks for
(12:53):
snacks and drinks.
But note, food and drink is notallowed inside any of the
buildings or around the complexunless at a designated site.
So if you buy a tower souvenir,there are six shops to choose
from.
And finally, consider takingadvantage of combination tickets
or passes.
As I mentioned before, theLondon Pass includes entry to
the Tower of London and othermajor attractions, so if you
(13:14):
plan to visit multiple sites inLondon, the London Pass may well
save you money.
So do check that out.
And there you have it yourultimate guide to visiting the
Tower of London.
So whether you're a historybuff, a royal enthusiast or just
curious about London's past,the Tower has something for all
interests and ages.
If you only have time to see ahandful of London attractions, I
(13:35):
think the Tower of Londonshould be on your list.
If you found this episodehelpful, don't forget to
subscribe to the podcast, leaveus a review and share it with
fellow travellers, and if you'vevisited the Tower of London
before, I'd love to hear aboutyour experience.
Drop me a message via theSpeakP pipe link in the show
(13:58):
notes or share your thoughts inthe UK travel planning Facebook
group.
Until next time, though, happyUK travel planning.
Thank you for tuning in to thisweek's episode of the UK travel
planning podcast.
As always, show notes can befound at uktravelplanningcom.
If you've enjoyed the show, whynot leave us feedback via text
or a review on your favouritepodcast app?
We love to hear from you and,you never know, you may receive
a shout out in a future episode.
(14:18):
But, as always, that justleaves me to say until next week
.
Happy UK travel planning.
Are you thinking about visiting one of London's
most iconic landmarks?
In episode 142 of the UK TravelPlanning Podcast, I'm diving
into everything you need to knowabout the Tower of London, a
place packed with history,intrigue and must-see sights
From the crown jewels tocenturies of royal stories.
I'll help you make the most ofyour visit.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Welcome to the UK Travel Planning Podcast.
Your host is the founder of theUK Travel Planning website,
Tracey Collins.
In this podcast, Tracey sharesdestination guides, travel tips
and itinerary ideas, as well asinterviews with a variety of
guests who share their knowledgeand experience of UK travel to
help you plan your perfect UKvacation.
(00:43):
Join us as we explore the UKfrom cosmopolitan cities to
quaint villages, from historiccastles to beautiful islands,
and from the picturesquecountryside to seaside towns.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Hello and welcome to this week's podcast episode.
In today's episode, we'rediving into the fascinating
world of the Tower of London.
As one of the most popularattractions in London, this
historic site draws over 3million visitors every year who
are captivated by its richhistory, iconic sites and
enduring traditions.
Now, over the years, I've hadthe privilege of visiting the
(01:21):
Tower of London many, many timesIn fact, I don't think I can
actually count up how many timesI've been and each visit
reveals something new to see andlearn.
So in this podcast, I'll guideyou through everything you need
to know to make the most of yourvisit to the Tower of London.
You'll hear about must-seehighlights like the crown jewels
and hidden gems such as theprisoner graffiti and the
(01:42):
Beauchamp Tower.
I'll also give you my tried andtested practical tips for
navigating this remarkable site.
So grab a cup of tea, get comfyand let's explore why the Tower
of London remains a must-seedestination.
The Tower of London is more thanjust a historic fortress.
It's a UNESCO World HeritageSite and one of the most iconic
(02:03):
symbols of London and of the UK.
It was built by William theConqueror in 1066 and it's
served many roles over thecenturies it's been a royal
palace, a prison, an armoury andeven a zoo.
Today it stands as a testamentto nearly 1,000 years of British
history and is home to thecrown jewels and the famous
yeoman warders, also known asbeefeaters.
(02:24):
The tower's history is asfascinating as it is complex,
filled with tales of intrigue,betrayal and power struggles.
It's a place where royaltylived and events which shaped
England's history unfolded.
Anne Boleyn, the second wife ofHenry VIII, is perhaps the most
famous of those who met theirfate within these walls.
But the tower has also seenprisoners ranging from princes
(02:46):
to political figures to spies.
Walking through its gates islike stepping into a living
storybook, where every stone haswitnessed centuries of drama
and intrigue.
Now let's talk about must-seehighlights when you visit the
Tower of London.
It's important to know that theTower of London is not just one
building.
Inside the tower's exteriorwalls there are lots of
individual buildings.
So the first and exterior wallsthere are lots of individual
buildings.
So the first and foremosthighlight of the site are the
(03:08):
crown jewels of the Britishmonarchy.
So these priceless items arehoused in the jewel house and
they're not to be missed.
You'll see dazzling crowns,scepters and orbs which are
still used by the British royalfamily today.
My tip for visiting the crownjewels is to visit early in the
morning or late in the afternoonto avoid the longest queues.
It's one of the most popularattractions on site, so the
(03:29):
lines can get to get into thejewel house can be very long,
particularly in peak season, andI know I've been in to see the
Crown Jewels and come out of thejewel house and can't believe
how quick the line has grown.
So it's really important to getin there first.
If you can get into the Towerof London early in the morning
(03:49):
when it first opens, go straightto see the Crown Jewels that's
the best thing to do or later inthe afternoon, anyway.
Another highlight is the WhiteTower.
This central military keepdates back to Norman times and
it's the oldest part of theTower of London complex and
houses fascinating exhibits suchas Henry VIII's armour and a
collection of medieval weapons.
So you can actually see howHenry VIII got slightly larger
(04:12):
by looking at his armoury,because it also gets larger.
Now.
Don't forget to visit theChapel of St Peter ad Vincula.
Now.
This serene chapel is the finalresting place of some of the
tower's most famous historicalfigures, including Anne Boleyn,
catherine Howard and Lady JaneGrey.
It's a poignant reminder of thetower's darker history and it's
(04:33):
really a must-see for historyenthusiasts.
Finally, I recommend making timefor a Yeoman Warder tour.
Yeoman Warders, more commonlyknown as Beefeaters, are the
ceremonial guards of the Towerof London and are famous the
world over for their red andgold tunics and floral black
hats, though you're more likelyto see the warders in their day
dress, which is a black tunicwith red piping.
(04:53):
The Beefeaters have beenserving the Tower since 1485 and
it may interest you to knowthat to be a Beefeater, you must
have served in the BritishArmed Forces for at least 22
years.
The Beefeaters live on site, sothey know their home very well,
and there are currently around32 ex-servicemen and women
serving as warders at the Towers.
Beefeater-led tours are free,with your entrance ticket and
(05:16):
don't need pre-booking.
They depart every 30 minutesfrom near the tower entrance and
I think they offer anentertaining and insightful look
into the tower's history, and Ifind them funny, engaging and
full of insider stories youwon't get anywhere else, and I
think those tours really bringthe tower's history to life.
So, if you can, don't miss oneof the Yeoman Water Tours Now.
(05:37):
The Tower of London isn't justabout its big ticket items.
There are some hidden gems todiscover too.
One of my favourites are theTower's Black Ravens.
Now, legend has it that ifthese birds ever leave the Tower
, the kingdom will fall, so, asa result, the birds are well
looked after.
They're cared for by adedicated raven master, who
gives each bird a name.
The current Tower of Londonravens are Jubilee, harris,
(06:00):
poppy, georgie, edgar, branwenand Rex and the raven master
ensures they're well fed,healthy and happy, so their
presence is considered vital tothe kingdom.
Another unique experience at theTower of London is the Ceremony
of the Keys, when the YeomanWarders lock the tower each
night.
It's a nightly ritual that hasremained unchanged for over 700
(06:22):
years Now.
Tickets for the ceremony arehighly sought after and must be
booked well in advance.
Now I've been lucky enough toattend a couple of times
actually, and I promise you it'sabsolutely amazing.
I've been very lucky to havebeen invited by Walks Tours to
go to the VIP ceremony of theKeys Tour, which basically gives
(06:42):
you access to Yeoman Warder forabout an hour, I think it is,
before you actually witness theceremony, which is amazing
because you get in a small group.
You get the opportunity toactually chat with the Yeoman
Warder about living in the tower, about the history of the tower
.
They share loads of things withyou that obviously they can't
do when you've got the largergroups, because the free Yirrman
(07:06):
Warder tours are excellent andyou do get them.
As you know, they're free aspart of your tickets.
Go into the Tower of London, butyou can find that they're
really crowded.
There could be like a couple ofhundred people.
I've been before and so youcan't get that individual
attention that you can do if youdo something special like the
um the walks VIP summer of thekeys tour.
So I'd highly recommend that.
(07:26):
But however you do it, howeveryou attend the summer of the
keys.
Honestly, believe me, you'llnever forget it.
You're not allowed to takephotos, you're not allowed to
take videos.
This is an extremely solemnceremony, which you know and you
are taking part in history.
This is something that's goneon for 700 years, so it's
amazing to actually beprivileged enough to attend that
(07:48):
ceremony as well each morning.
And that's also worthconsidering because that event
sees the Yeoman Warder andmilitary personnel actually open
the tower gates, marking thestart of another day at this
historic site.
And again, I've managed toattend the opening ceremony.
I've been invited to that withanother tour with Walks Tours in
(08:11):
London, so you can go and, witha small group of other people,
actually observe the openingceremony and have a tour guide
as well, who kind of explainswhat's happening.
You do spend some time with theyeoman warder, who also he will
take you and show you where tostand, and then after that you
have a tour of the Tower ofLondon as well.
So that's also excellent andworth doing.
(08:32):
There's a review of that, bothof these actually on the website
, so you can have a look at myphotos and my comments about
both of these tours that I havedone, which are excellent.
Now for a more somber experience, I recommend visiting Tower
Green.
This quiet spot is really aplace of reflection where you
can learn about the famousfigures who were executed here,
which of course includes AnneBoleyn and Catherine Howard.
(08:54):
If you have time, don't missthe tower dungeon and the
graffiti left by prisoners onthe walls of the Beauchamp Tower
.
It's a haunted reminder of thetower's darker past as a prison.
Now let's think about practicaltips for your visit.
So planning ahead is key tomaking the most of your time at
the Tower of London.
(09:15):
There's a lot to see and a lotof ground to cover, so make sure
you leave adequate time foryour visit.
So, genuinely, I recommendallocating at least three hours
for your visit.
Please don't think you can goto the Tower of London and
experience it and see it all inan hour, because that's not
going to happen.
The Tower of London can getquite busy, especially during
peak time, so I do recommendbooking your tickets online in
(09:36):
advance.
It will save you time on theday and ensure you secure an
entry for your preferred dateand time.
Now, when you book online,you'll need to select a date and
a time slot.
It's important to stick to thistime, as entry before after
your time slot is not guaranteed.
Now you can arrive within 30minutes of your allocated ticket
time, and there are priceconcessions available for
children under 17,.
Students with ID and seniorsover 65 and children under four
(10:01):
do go free.
Now you can make changes toyour booking up to three days
before your scheduled date,though you'll be charged an
amendment fee, and note thatre-entry is not permitted.
So make sure you see and doeverything you want to before
you leave the grounds.
Now the towers open and hours dovary slightly depending on the
season.
So generally it's open sevendays a week In the winter months
(10:22):
from 9am to 4.30pm, but thatclosing time is extended to
5.30pm in the summer.
However, the last time you canenter the tower is 3pm in the
winter and 4pm in summer, andthe last time you can enter the
tower is 3 pm in the winter and4 pm in summer, and the last
yeoman water tour, which isincluded with the ticket, is at
2 30 pm.
The tower is closed on certainholidays, including christmas
eve, christmas day and boxingday, but I do recommend checking
(10:44):
the official website before youvisit for most up-to-date
information.
And the tower of london.
The entry to the Tower ofLondon is included in the London
Pass if you're consideringbuying a London Pass Now.
The Tower of London sits on thebanks of the Thames in East
London, adjacent to Tower Bridge, and you can get there by tube.
It's a five-minute walk fromTower Hill tube station on the
District or Circle line, or, fora more impressive arrival, why
(11:07):
not arrive by boat on the Thames?
When it comes to time, aim toarrive early, at opening time if
possible, or even before tojoin the queue.
Alternatively, go later in theafternoon.
If you visit these towns,you'll be rewarded with smaller
crowds.
Now be prepared for schoolgroups if you visit during UK
school term time and be preparedfor lots of families in UK
school holidays.
(11:27):
If you're travelling with kids,the Tower puts on special
events for kids during UK schoolholidays.
If you're traveling with kids,the tower puts on special events
for kids during UK schoolholidays and these are usually
included in the cost of yourticket.
You can buy a multilingualaudio guide with your ticket to
explore on your own or, as Imentioned earlier, try to join a
Yeoman Warder tour, but notethat those tours are only in
English.
You can also use a visualBritish Sign Language guide if
(11:49):
needed.
Guide dogs and other registeredassistant dogs are welcome at
the Tower If you are awheelchair user.
Due to the historic nature ofthe building, there are a number
of difficult stairs,passageways, steps and cobbled
surfaces, which does make accessdifficult.
There is an official accessguide to the Tower of London and
(12:10):
I will include a link in theshow notes.
Wear comfortable shoes.
There's a lot of walkinginvolved, including uneven
cobblestone paths, so watch yourfooting as there are steps
around the site.
There's also little shade inthe outdoor areas of the tower,
so you may want to bring a sunhat in summer or a raincoat in
winter.
Now you can take photos insidethe tower, but in some rooms,
(12:32):
such as the Crown Jewels, it'sstrictly forbidden.
Look out for the signs.
You aren't allowed tripods orselfie sticks.
There isn't luggage storage onsite, so you'll have to carry
what you bring.
Large backpacks and bags biggerthan cabin carry-on are not
permitted.
There are two cafes on site,one indoor and one outdoor,
serving hot foods and snacks,plus a couple of kiosks for
(12:53):
snacks and drinks.
But note, food and drink is notallowed inside any of the
buildings or around the complexunless at a designated site.
So if you buy a tower souvenir,there are six shops to choose
from.
And finally, consider takingadvantage of combination tickets
or passes.
As I mentioned before, theLondon Pass includes entry to
the Tower of London and othermajor attractions, so if you
(13:14):
plan to visit multiple sites inLondon, the London Pass may well
save you money.
So do check that out.
And there you have it yourultimate guide to visiting the
Tower of London.
So whether you're a historybuff, a royal enthusiast or just
curious about London's past,the Tower has something for all
interests and ages.
If you only have time to see ahandful of London attractions, I
(13:35):
think the Tower of Londonshould be on your list.
If you found this episodehelpful, don't forget to
subscribe to the podcast, leaveus a review and share it with
fellow travellers, and if you'vevisited the Tower of London
before, I'd love to hear aboutyour experience.
Drop me a message via theSpeakP pipe link in the show
(13:58):
notes or share your thoughts inthe UK travel planning Facebook
group.
Until next time, though, happyUK travel planning.
Thank you for tuning in to thisweek's episode of the UK travel
planning podcast.
As always, show notes can befound at uktravelplanningcom.
If you've enjoyed the show, whynot leave us feedback via text
or a review on your favouritepodcast app?
We love to hear from you and,you never know, you may receive
a shout out in a future episode.
(14:18):
But, as always, that justleaves me to say until next week
.
Happy UK travel planning.
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