The Tower of London packs a lot into one fortress. We’re talking winding staircases, famous prisoners, glittering crowns, medieval towers and enough stories to fill several history books. With so much to cover, it’s easy to miss key spots or accidentally wander in circles.
After spending the day exploring every tower, wall walk and hidden corner we could find, we put together a route that keeps things flowing smoothly while helping you catch the biggest highlights along the way.
This guide covers
- Where to start your Tower of London visit
- The best order for seeing the main attractions
- Tips for avoiding unnecessary backtracking
- Hidden corners many visitors miss
- Highlights inside the White Tower
- What to prioritise when queues get busy
- Fascinating stories from the Yeoman Warders
- Historic towers, battlements and exhibitions
1. Start with a Yeoman Warder tour
The Yeoman Warders know the Tower better than anyone, and their tours add plenty of personality to the experience. From royal scandals and famous prisoners to tales of executions and escape attempts, they bring centuries of history to life with sharp humour and plenty of behind-the-scenes details.
Our guide happily shared stories about daily life inside the fortress, including the fact that several Yeoman Warders still live within the Tower walls today. We also learned the Tower now has women Yeoman Warders among its ranks, alongside one vegetarian Beefeater, which definitely caught our attention.
Joining a tour first helps everything else make more sense afterwards, especially once you start exploring the towers independently.
2. Walk the battlements from the Medieval Palace
Once the tour wraps up, head straight to the Medieval Palace to begin the full battlements route. This is the easiest way to follow the one-way system without getting completely turned around halfway through.
The wall walks connect several towers and exhibitions, so you’ll naturally move through different chapters of the Tower’s history as you go.
Wakefield and Lanthorn Towers
These rooms recreate royal life during the reign of Henry III, complete with lavish interiors and displays showing how medieval royalty lived day to day. Some people clearly had a more comfortable Tower experience than others.
Salt, Broad Arrow and Constable Towers
Things take a darker turn here. These towers focus on the Tower’s defensive role and the prisoners once held inside its walls. You’ll hear stories of captivity, interrogations and political drama stretching back hundreds of years.
Martin Tower
This section digs into the lives of the Yeoman Warders themselves, including what it’s actually like to live at the Tower of London. There are usually around 35 resident Beefeaters, which feels like a fun fact to casually drop into conversation later.
Royal Beasts exhibition
Yes, the Tower once housed exotic animals. Lions, monkeys and even a polar bear reportedly lived here as part of the royal menagerie. The polar bear apparently fished in the Thames, which honestly sounds made up, but history says otherwise.
Wellington and Waterloo Barracks
The Tower isn’t all crowns and castles. These areas highlight its military connections and show how the site continued evolving long after the medieval period.
First World War exhibition
This exhibition explores the Tower’s role during World War I, including stories of soldiers stationed within the fortress before deployment.
3 and 4. Crown Jewels or White Tower? Follow the shortest queue
These are the two biggest attractions inside the Tower, so our advice is simple: check both queue times and tackle whichever looks quieter first.
Crown Jewels
The Crown Jewels remain one of the most popular parts of the Tower of London, and it’s easy to see why. The collection includes ceremonial regalia still used during coronations today, alongside spectacular crowns, sceptres and glittering gemstones.
Even visitors who usually switch off around royal history tend to get drawn in here. The displays give useful background information without slowing things down, and the moving walkway keeps the line moving steadily.
White Tower
The White Tower sits at the centre of the fortress and dates back to around 1080, making it the oldest part of the entire complex. Built for William the Conqueror, it has survived nearly a millennium of royal history, conflict and political upheaval.
Inside, you’ll find armour, weapons displays and exhibitions covering medieval warfare and royal power. The upper floors also feature interactive exhibits where visitors can try activities inspired by historic combat and craftsmanship, including archery and sword handling.
The stairs can feel relentless at times, but the displays at the top make the climb worthwhile.
5. Explore the quieter towers and hidden corners
Some of the Tower’s most interesting spaces sit slightly off the main visitor route, so it’s worth slowing down before heading for the exit.
Bloody Tower
This tower combines two wildly different stories: Sir Walter Raleigh’s peaceful herb garden and the grim mystery surrounding the young princes linked to the Tower’s darker reputation.
Lower Wakefield Tower
This section focuses on historic torture methods once associated with the Tower. It’s fascinating, slightly unsettling and definitely not one for squeamish visitors.
Cradle Tower
Here you’ll spot the King’s private water gate, once used for direct access from the River Thames.
Beauchamp Tower
Look closely at the walls and you’ll find graffiti carved by former prisoners awaiting execution. Some designs are surprisingly detailed, including inscriptions linked to famous historical figures such as Thomas More.
6. Before you leave, look out for The Keys
Right before heading out, keep an eye out for The Keys, the Yeoman Warders’ private pub hidden within the Tower grounds.
Sadly, visitors can’t go inside, but it’s still fun knowing there’s an exclusive pub tucked away behind the ancient walls. We also discovered Yeoman Warders receive a bottle of Beefeater gin on their birthday, which feels like a solid workplace perk.
Make the most of your Tower of London day
Following a structured route makes a huge difference at the Tower of London, especially when crowds build up later in the day. Starting with the Yeoman Warders, tackling the battlements early and staying flexible around queue times helps you fit more into your visit without feeling rushed.
That said, there’s no wrong way to explore this place. If something catches your attention, go and investigate it. Some of the best moments come from wandering into a quiet tower, spotting an unexpected detail or stumbling across a story you’d never heard before.
Happy history hunting!
Enjoyed this spiffing spot of London?
Take your trip to the next level with our complete guide to Westminster Abbey or check out the complete guide to the Tower of London, all filled with visitor hacks and money-saving tips.
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