Tower of London

Tower of London is a riverside fortress where royal ceremony and darker stories occupy the same stone walls. The Crown Jewels draw the crowds, but the White Tower, ravens and tales of imprisonment make this a substantial visit rather than a quick photo stop.

Enter through the visitor entrance by Tower Hill and allow three to four hours to explore the precincts. Join an included Yeoman Warder tour for the human stories, then choose the displays that interest you; admission does not guarantee a private guided tour or immediate entry to the jewels.

Reserve admission before travelling, bring only manageable bags and expect stairs and uneven surfaces. Large luggage is prohibited and strollers cannot enter the White Tower; check the accessibility information for the particular buildings you want to see.