The Tower of London for families

The Tower of London shows off more than 900 years of history – and there are some entertaining animal stories for younger visitors.

Why visit the Tower of London

The Tower of London is justifiably one of the top attractions in the UK. Built in stages since 1066, this fortress on the north bank of the River Thames has been many things over its 900-plus year history – including a prison, zoo, mint and armoury.

Its these multiple incarnations that make a visit to the Tower of London so riveting. Yes, the Crown Jewels are on display here, but there’s so much more to it.

It’s best to tackle the Crown Jewels first to avoid the queues, then probably the White Tower for the same reason. However, after the two big hitters, a visit can be more about exploring – walking around the ramparts, seeing the memorials on the green, strolling through the flowers in the moat.

It’s also worth taking the free Beefeater-led walking tours that give an orientation of the Tower plus plenty of entertaining anecdotes.

Visiting the Tower of London with children

Some aspects of the Tower of London will appeal to children more than others. The Line of Kings and weapons on display inside the White Tower are unlikely to be the highlight, but there is so much to sink teeth into elsewhere.

The Mint section, tracing the history of coins and currency in the UK, is much more interesting than the topic would suggest. And the Bloody Tower presents the tale of the two princes who disappeared after being imprisoned by the future Richard III. The latter is great for sparking discussions over what everyone thinks really happened.

Kids tend to love the tales of animals given as gifts from other countries, too. Lifesize wireframe sculptures of elephants, polar bears and more show what creatures were once kept in the tower.

The famous ravens, strutting around on the grass and the walls, are also a hit with children.

Tower of London review: The best bit

The Crown Jewels is the headline act at the Tower of London. This collection of treasures include the St Edward’s Crown used for Royal coronations and the Koh-I-Noor diamond set inside the late Queen Mother’s crown.

A moving walkway takes visitors past the most prized exhibits, but it’s the size of the collection that comes as a real surprise. You’ll find yourself wowed by unexpected displays of excess such as the dazzling, golden Imperial Mantle and the enormous golden punchbowl that can hold 240 bottles of wine.

Infants, juniors or secondary?

There are aspects of the Tower of London – notably the dense and rather bloody history – that are better suited to older children. But you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much there is to hold the attention of primary-aged kids, too. Toddlers will not find the Tower of London their most enjoyable day out, however.

Tower of London entry prices

Entry tickets to the Tower of London cost £34.80 for adults and £17.40 for children. You can buy tickets in advance with Viator, which allows you to get in by having your phone scanned on the gate rather than queuing for a physical ticket. Book through this link and I get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Alternatively, book through the Historic Royal Palaces site.

Prices were last checked and updated on 22 October 2024.

Full day, half day or a couple of hours?

If you tackle the Tower of London in detail, it’ll take up a full day. If you just stick to the sections you’re most interested in, it’s half a day.

Attractions near the Tower of London

Other attractions relatively close to the Tower of London include:

• The Clink Prison Museum.
• The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret.
• The Monument to the Great Fire of London.

Other great attractions in London include the British Museum.

Nearby cities

Parking near the Tower of London is extremely tricky, and I’d recommend using public transport. However, in keeping with the formula of the rest of the site, cities within a 90 minute drive of the Tower of London include St Albans, Chelmsford, Cambridge, Southend and Canterbury.

Is it open on Mondays?

The Tower of London is open on Mondays, when it is considerably quieter than it is on weekends.

More information

For more information, visit the Tower of London section of the Historic Royal Palaces site.