5 totally honest reviews of the Tower of London to read before you visit
One visitor described it as “a dark, dazzling and delightfully British day out!”
With the summer holidays in full swing, many Londoners and visitors alike are thinking about places to visit in the capital.
London is full of tourist attractions that draw in visitors from across the globe. Those include the London Eye, Madame Tussauds and of course, the Tower of London.
Which is what we’re exploring today! The Tower of London is a historic fortress on the north bank of the River Thames, famous for its role as a royal palace, prison, and home to the Crown Jewels.
Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, it has stood for nearly a thousand years as a symbol of power and intrigue.
The Tower of London welcomes approximately 2.9 million visitors annually and in 2024, it was the most visited paid-for attraction in the UK.
But is it worth a visit? We’ve collated some brutally honest reviews of the Tower of London, to see if it’s worth all the hype. (Spoiler alert: it is.)
The Tower of London is rated 4.7 stars out of 5 on Google and 4.6 stars on TripAdvisor. It costs around £35 to enter and is a World Heritage Site.
Honest reviews of the Tower of London
Patricia Henning visited the Tower last week and rated it 5 stars. She said: “Spend a few hours, lots to see. Go on a tour with a Beefeater!”
Beate Amburg also rated it 5 stars and said: “A beautiful place, a must for visitors to London, pre-booking is recommended.”
Megan and Gustav Neve rated the Tower of London three stars and said: “Love the history of this place. We loved the ravens and the giant codpiece the most. The crowds were completely overwhelming and totally ruined the experience. Had to pay a fortune for an "early access skip the line tour" and we still waited in line for half an hour and we're packed in like sardines to see anything...”
Jose Juan Huertas rated it five stars and said: “A must-see if you're in London. It's crowded, but it doesn't matter because it's huge.”
Local Guide T K rated the Tower five stars out of five and gave it a glowing review, he wrote: “Medieval Castle in city of London housing the crown jewels used by the King or Queen during lavish state processions or coronations. This 11th-century fortress delivers a cheeky blend of gruesome tales and royal bling. It’s as lively as ever—expect queues, so book tickets online (£34.80 adults, worth it for skip-the-line vibes).
“Pro tip: Visit early to dodge crowds and catch the 9am opening for a quieter gawk at the gems. Costumed Beefeaters (Yeoman Warders) are the real MVPs, spinning yarns about executions and royal scandals with theatrical flair—think history lesson meets stand-up comedy. Their free tours (every 30 minutes) are a must, blending wit with facts. Interactive augmented reality displays let you “hold” a virtual crown—fun, but the real jewels steal the show.
“Grab a pasty at the Ravens’ Café for a quick bite (ravens still rule the roost!). Wear comfy shoes; the cobbles are unforgiving. A dazzling, dark, and delightfully British day out!”