If you’re planning to visit the Tower of London with your kids, you might be wondering if it’s worth the money. As a Londoner and a mum, I have some insights and money-saving tips to share with you. Read on to find out more.
Pros & Cons of visiting the Tower of London with kids
Here are some of the pros and cons, based on our own experiences:
Pros
- It is educational and fun. You can learn about the history of England, the monarchy, and the people who lived and died in the Tower. You can also see the dazzling Crown Jewels, the armoury, and the medieval palace.
- It is interactive and engaging. You can join a free guided tour by a Yeoman Warder, who will tell you stories and anecdotes about the Tower. You can also watch live re-enactments, demonstrations, and performances by costumed actors. You can also explore the Tower at your own pace with an audio guide or a family trail booklet.
- It is suitable for all ages. There is something for everyone at the Tower of London. Younger kids will love seeing the ravens and the animals that used to live in the Tower. Older kids will enjoy the gruesome and spooky aspects of the Tower, such as the torture chamber, the Bloody Tower, and the Traitors’ Gate.
- It is rich in culture and heritage. The Tower of London is not only a historical site, but also a living one. You can witness ceremonies and traditions that have been going on for centuries, such as the Changing of the Guard, the Ceremony of the Keys, and the Coronation Procession.
- It is convenient and accessible. The Tower of London is located in central London, near the River Thames. You can easily get there by public transport, such as tube, bus, or boat. You can also find many facilities and amenities nearby, such as restaurants, cafes, shops, toilets, and baby changing rooms.
Cons:
- It is expensive and crowded. The admission fee for a family of four is £75.60 (online) or £84 (on the day). This does not include any extras, such as food, souvenirs, or special exhibitions. The Tower of London is also very popular and can get very busy, especially during peak times and school holidays. You may have to queue for a long time to see some of the attractions, such as the Crown Jewels or the White Tower.
- It can be large and tiring. The Tower of London covers an area of 18 acres and has many buildings and towers to explore. You will need at least three hours to see everything, but you may want to spend more time if you want to enjoy all the activities and events. You will also have to walk a lot, climb stairs, and cross bridges. You may want to bring a pushchair for younger kids or rent one at the entrance.
- It is dark and scary. The Tower of London has a dark and violent history that may not be suitable for sensitive or younger kids. You will see weapons, instruments of torture, skeletons, and wax figures of prisoners and executioners. You will also hear stories of murder, betrayal, imprisonment, and beheading. You may want to prepare your kids beforehand or skip some of the more disturbing parts.
My personal opinion:
So, should you visit the Tower of London with your kids? I think it depends on your budget, your interests, and your kids’ ages and personalities. I personally enjoyed visiting the Tower of London with my kids (aged 2, 6, and 10) and I think they learned a lot and had fun. However, I also think it is not for everyone and you may want to consider other options if you have younger kids or if you are looking for something cheaper or less crowded.
Tower of London Ticket Deals
As already mentioned above, one of the big cons of visiting The Tower of London is the high ticket price. Here are a few ways to get discounts:
- Annual membership: An annual membership gives you access to all Historic Royal Palaces, and costs less than two standard price tickets.
- City Passes: If you’re planning to visit several attractions, a city pass could save you money at the Tower of London.
- National Rail 2FOR1: Use your train ticket to get a free additional ticket to the Tower of London.
- National Lottery Deal: Get free access to the Tower of London by simply buying a lottery ticket (please note that this offer is not always available).
- Tower Hamlet residents: Local residents who have either an Idea Store card or Tower Hamlets library card can visit the Tower of London for only £1.00.
- Discount codes: Not our favourite way to save money; they usually give you the same discount as the website for the Tower of London.
Check our article on discount tickets to London attractions for more money-saving tips.
Cool things for kids to see at the Tower of London
After visiting the Tower quite a few times through the years, here are some of the things that our kids found most interesting:
- Norman history – visiting the Tower is a great opportunity for kids to learn about 1066 and the Normans
- The Tudors – learn about all those brutal moments during Henry VIII’s rule
- The Menagerie – Tower of London was an early version of the London Zoo with exotic animals
- Ravens – see if you can count all 5 ravens, and learn about the legend of the Tower
- Crown Jewels – get up close to the Queen’s impressive crowns and jewels
- Princes in the Tower – learn about the story of two princes who suddenly disappeared
- Prison graffiti – see if you can recognize any of the names on the wall of the Salt Tower
- The Royal Armouries – see the impressive collection of weapons and armour
- The Beefeaters – the famous guards in their colourful uniforms protecting the crown jewels
Although this article may contain affiliate links, please note that this review is not sponsored by Tower of London in any way (we paid for the entrance ourselves).
1. The Normans
The invaders who built the Tower of London were, of course, the Normans. They successfully took Britain by force in 1066 and built the Tower to protect themselves from the native Londoners who were very hostile toward their new rules. The Normans were very effective and established similar strongholds like Tower all over Britain, rapidly building over 100 fortresses, each ruled by a Norman warlord that would subdue the English in their local area.
The Normans themselves were originally Vikings from Norway and Denmark that settled in Normandy where they gradually adopted French culture and language. It wouldn’t take long until they did the same in Britain, merging their own culture with the British.
2. The Tudors
Kids are easily fascinated by Tudor history with all its drama, and even if the Tower wasn’t a royal residence, it played a central role as a place of execution and imprisonment.
The lucky ones to have escaped their fate at the White Tower (rather than enduring the humiliation of being executed at Tower Hill observed by thousands of cheering and jeering spectators) comprised two of Henry VIII’s wives; Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard.
The Tudors at the Tower of London:
- Yeomen of the Guard: The official royal bodyguard, the “Beefeaters” were established by Henry Tudor
- Traitors’ Gate: The watergate where the doomed prisoners arrived by boat from the Thames during Tudor times
- The White Tower: Where all the important prisoners were held, like Elizabeth during the reign of her Catholic sister Mary
- Tower Hill: Where Henry VIII’s 2nd wife Anne Boleyn and 5th wife Catherine Howard were executed
- Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula: The final resting place of Anne Boleyn after her execution
3. The Tower Menagerie
From the 1200s until 1835, The Tower was home to various wild animals previously unheard of in London, including lions and a polar bear presented as a royal gift.
Did you know that King Haakon IV of Norway gave a polar bear as a gift to Henry III in 1252? Henry paid fourpence a day to keep the bear fed at the Tower, but it also used to fish in the Thames while tied to a chain according to historical records. Other animals included:
- In 1235, King Henry III received three lions (or leopards) from Emperor Frederick II.
- African elephant (received from King Louis IX of France in 1255
- In the 1780s, the Tower monkeys lived in a furnished room where visitors would be amused by their antics and humanlike behaviour.
- A zebra was ‘particularly fond’ of ale and would run off to the soldiers’ canteen to have a drink.
4. The Ravens
“For many centuries, ravens have guarded the Tower of London and, since they are said to hold the power of the Crown, it is believed that the Crown and the Tower will fall, if ever the ravens should leave. Fortunately, these respected residents, since the reign of King Charles II, have been protected by royal decree.”
The common ravens have been frequent visitors through the centuries, savouring the scraps that were tossed out of the Tower’s windows and devouring the remains of executed traitors to deter. Tower tradition said when the idea was made that they were killed following the Restoration, someone recalled the legend that if the ravens leave in the future, both the Tower and the entire kingdom would be destroyed.
Being a victim of the plague, The Great Fire and the execution of his father, Charles II clearly wasn’t going to gamble and allowed the birds to remain at home. There are always at the very least six ravens living at the Tower, and their feathers on the wings are clipped to ensure they stay on the move. They all have names and are well-fed, charmed lives. 170g of beef in raw form biscuits that are soaked in blood, occasional egg, and the list goes on. Even so, mind your fingers.
At least this is what the Tower of London’s brochure says. But if were are to believe the scholars on this subject, this is actually an invented tradition to dramatize the executions at the Tower. So more of a marketing stunt than historically correct, but that doesn’t really matter. For the kids, it’s great fun to watch and hear about the Ravens.
5. The Crown Jewels
We’re talking about the Queen’s Crown Jewels of course! East of Chapel Royal and north of the White Tower is Waterloo Barracks which is the location of the Crown Jewels, which are in real terms precious. Visitors to the barracks can view films of the crown jewels and their importance throughout the ages (including amazing footage of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation ceremony in 1953) before getting to the vault.
The Imperial State Crown from 1937 is regularly used by Queen Elizabeth II when opening the Parliament and has more than 2,800 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls and 4 rubies! As part of the collection of Royal Bling, you’ll also see some very exceptional diamonds like the Koh-i-Nûr (or ‘Mountain of Light’) diamond. Discovered in 15th-century India, it earned a reputation of bringing bad luck to men. Nevertheless, it was presented to Queen Victoria in 1849.
When you enter, you’ll be awestruck by extravagantly bejewelled sceptres, orbs and, of course, crowns. A walkway that moves you through the dozen or so crowns as well as other coronation accessories, such as an emerald crown made of platinum worn by the Queen Mother.
Further, on display, which is by itself, it is the central piece of the crown: The Imperial State Crown, set with 2868 diamonds (including the 317-carat Second Star of Africa, or Cullinan II), sapphires, diamonds, emeralds and pearls. The Queen wears it during the State Opening of Parliament in May and June. Notice the oddly-shaped boxes at the exit to transport the baubles of the Tower to official functions.
6. The two Princes in the Tower
In the opposite direction of The Traitors’ Gate, where prisoners would be taken by boat, lies the massive portcullis part of the Bloody Tower (1225). The name comes from “The princes in the Tower” – Edward V and his younger brother, Richard – who was detained “for their personal security” and later executed to end their claim for the crown. The blame is often placed (notably through Shakespeare) on the shoulders of their Uncle Richard III but is not without controversy.
7. Prison Grafitti at the Tower of London
On the west side of the scaffolding site lies Beauchamp Tower (1280), where the highest-ranking prisoners left unsatisfied inscriptions and other graffiti. 22 people are believed to be executed inside the Tower grounds, which included 11 German spies killed by firing squads during WWI and WWII.
8. The Royal Armouries
In addition to St John’s Chapel, most of the interior of the White Tower is dedicated to the Royal Armouries’ collection of cannons, guns, cannons, and other clothes of mail and armour for horses and men. One of the most impressive exhibits in the entryway is two of Henry VIII’s suits of armour. One was made to his specifications when he was an attractive young man of just 24 years old, and the second one was made for him when the 50-year-old was fat with a waist of 130cm.
The Line of King’s exhibition also includes a late 17th-century parade featuring wood-carved horse heads and the horses that belonged to the historical King. Be on the lookout for the 2m-long armoured suit that was thought to have been designed to fit the huge-looking John of Gaunt and, next to it, an infant’s dress of armour designed for James I’s son, who would later become Charles I.
On the upper floor, you’ll find the block, as well as an axe that was used for the execution of Simon Fraser at the last public beheading of Tower Hill in 1747; hangings continued to be held here until 1780. It is also possible to look at a variety of interactive exhibits, such as archery.
9. The Beefeaters (the Yeomen Warders)
An iconic symbol of the Tower of London, the Yeoman Warders, protected this fortress from the beginning of the century. The number of them can reach 40. And, to be eligible for the post, they have to have been in service for a minimum of two years within any unit of the British Armed Forces. In 2007, the first female was appointed to the position. Although they are guards of the Tower, their primary role nowadays is tour guides. Tours are free of charge and depart out of the Middle Tower every 30 minutes up to 3.30 pm (2.30 pm during winter).
The Yeoman Warders might appear humorous, but do not start calling them Beefeaters as it’s a nickname they’re believed to hate. The name has been used since the 17th century. Its origins aren’t clear, though it is believed to be due to beef rations – at the time an indulgence – that they received in the past. Each warder also gets a bottle of Beefeater Gin on their birthday as part of an old arrangement.
The History of the Tower
Do you know why the Tower was built in the first place? It’s easy to assume that it was built to protect London from invaders coming up the Thames to attack the city, such as the old enemies of the English like the Vikings and the French. But, actually, the opposite is true – it was the Norman invaders (a mix of Vikings AND French) who built the Tower to rule over the English.
The White Tower and the Normans
The original building forming the Tower of London is the stark, square fortress of the White Tower. Over time, however, the Tower of London developed into a complex of several buildings set within two concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat.
As well as being a fortress, the Tower of London has served as a royal palace and a prison. This was particularly so for high-status and royal prisoners, such as the Princes in the Tower and the future Queen Elizabeth I.
The Tower of London has also served as a place of execution and torture, an armoury, a treasury and a zoo. The Tower has also hosted the Royal Mint, a public records office and an observatory. Since 1303, the Tower of London has also been the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.
The UK Crown Jewels have been kept at the Tower of London for more than 700 years after being recovered following their theft from Westminster Abbey. After further attempts to steal the Crown Jewels, they were kept in a part of the Tower of London known as the Jewel House, defended by armed guards.
The Haunted Tower of London
The Tower of London is reputedly the most haunted building in England. Now wonder why it’s considered one of the most spooky Halloween spots in London!
The ghost of Queen Anne Boleyn, beheaded in 1536 for treason against King Henry VIII, has allegedly been seen haunting the Tower of London chapel where she is buried, and walking around the White Tower carrying her head under her arm (that’s original!).
Other ghosts of the Tower of London allegedly include Henry VI, Lady Jane Grey and the Princes in the Tower, murdered by their uncle Richard, of which more below.
The Ravens of the Tower have been in residence for centuries following rumours, apparently believed by King Charles II, that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, the White Tower, the monarchy, and the entire kingdom would fall.
At one point, following complaints about the ravens (guano alert?) from the Royal Astronomer, who was based in the Tower of London at that time, Charles moved him and his observatory to Greenwich rather than move the birds!
Upperclass beheadings
The Tower of London was renowned for its executions. The ‘riff-raff’, or ordinary criminals, were usually executed by hanging at one of the public execution sites outside the Tower. High-profile prisoners, however, such as Sir Thomas More, were publicly beheaded on Tower Hill.
Seven nobles, five of them ladies including Anne Boleyn , Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey , were executed for treason . They were beheaded privately (a much higher class of spectator?) on Tower Green , inside the complex, and then buried in the chapel by the Green.
The Princes in the Tower were the two young sons of King Edward IV. Following Edward’s death, his brother Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, was made Regent until the older of his two sons, Edward V, should come of age. Unfortunately, that did not accord with Richard’s plans and he decided the princes should die.
One night, in their Tower of London prison, the two Princes were smothered with their pillows. Many years later, bones were found buried at the foot of a stairway in the Tower, which are thought to be those of the princes. Richard was crowned King Richard III of England.
Today, fortunately, the Tower of London is a much more peaceful place and one of the leading tourist attractions of London.
A visit to London is not complete without a relaxing stroll along the Tower of London’s waterfrontage, with the magnificent vista of Tower Bridge proudly bestriding the River Thames and it’s bustling, colourful ferries.
The Execution of Anne Boleyn at the Tower of London
Henry VIII had called for the “Headsman of Calais” even before Anne’s trial would begin in the Great Hall of The Tower of London. According to historian Alison Weir, for the executioner to arrive on the 18th, (the original date set for her execution) he would have had to have been ordered as early as the 9th or 10th. Anne was tried and found guilty, along with her brother, George, on May 15th.
Anne’s execution was postponed twice, giving her a cruel, false hope. She was finally brought to the scaffold built on the north side of the White Tower near the Waterloo Barracks on the morning of May 19th where she spoke these words:
“Good Christian people, I am come hither to die, for according to the law, and by the law I am judged to die, and therefore I will speak nothing against it. I am come hither to accuse no man, nor to speak anything of that, whereof I am accused and condemned to die, but I pray God save the king and send him long to reign over you, for a gentler nor a more merciful prince was there never: and to me he was ever a good, a gentle and sovereign lord.
And if any person will meddle of my cause, I require them to judge the best. And thus I take my leave of the world and of you all, and I heartily desire you all to pray for me. O Lord have mercy on me, to God I commend my soul.”
Her ladies removed her headdress and necklaces, and then tied a blindfold over her eyes as she knelt upright in the French style for execution by the sword. After kneeling Anne repeated several times: “To Jesus Christ I commend my soul; Lord Jesu receive my soul.”
The expert headsman, Jean Rombaud, dispatched Anne with a single stroke. No provisions had been made for a coffin or Anne’s burial, so a man working at the Tower placed her head and body in an empty arrow chest and she was buried in an unmarked grave in the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula.
Key Information Tower of London
- Tickets from £30
- Indoor
- Type: Historical Building
- Borough: Tower Hamlets
- Area: East London
- Tube: Tower
- Nearby: Borough Market
- Tower of London website
Is the Tower of London good for young kids?
Yes, don’t hesitate to visit the Tower with the children. From shiny crown jewels and armours to colourful Beefeaters and mysterious ravens, the Tower of London will inspire children of all ages to learn more about history.
How much time does it take to visit the Tower of London?
3 hours goes a long way towards covering the main galleries in the Tower of London such as the Crown Jewels and the White Tower.