Visit the Jewel House first at the Tower of London: Here's why

To beat the queues at the Tower of London, there’s one section you should go to straight away.

Why visit the Jewel House first at the Tower of London, summarised

The Jewel House is the busiest part of the Tower of London
Most visitors tackle the attractions in the order they encounter them.
Many visitors take a guided tour first.
The queues are much shorter if you head to the Jewel House as soon as the Tower opens.

For more detail, read on. To book entry tickets, head here.

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🏰 Enjoy early access to the Tower of London and see the Crown Jewels without the crowds.
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What to see inside the Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of the British capital’s best attractions – and this English castle is great for families. Entry tickets may be expensive, but there is so much history packed inside, they’re worth the money. There are also several different sections within the Tower, each essentially an attraction in its own right.

After all, the Tower of London has been a palace, a prison, and a zoo. It has also served as an observatory and so much more over the years.

Tower of London attractions

Top attractions within the Tower of London include:

The White Tower contains plenty of gruesome weapons. It also features the Line of Kings, which has grandiose armoured statues of former kings on horseback.
The Mint, where England’s coins were made for hundreds of years.
The Bloody Tower, where Sir Walter Raleigh was imprisoned and two princes went missing.
Tower Green, where the infamous ravens tend to hang out.

Where to see the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London

However, the headline attraction within the Tower of London tends to be the Crown Jewels. These are the precious crowns, sceptres, lavish gowns and jewel-encrusted tableware belonging to the British Royal Family.

These are displayed under armed guard in the Jewel House.

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Queues for the Jewel House

The Jewel House is also the part of the Tower of London that tends to get the biggest queues. Come on the busiest days and you can be standing in line for an hour or so to see King Charles III’s coronation crown and what happened to the enormous Cullinan Diamond.

This is why the Jewel House should be the part of the Tower of London you should visit first.

Why visit the Jewel House first?

Most visitors to the Tower of London buy their ticket and head in past the security gates. They are then lured in by the free tours given by the Yeoman Warders. Better known as Beefeaters, these decorated military veterans lead tours around the Tower, with enormous groups of tourists in tow.

It’s worth doing the tour – there are plenty of interesting details, and they’re entertaining. Just don’t do it as soon as you arrive at the Tower.

The smart tactic is to go straight to the Jewel House. This avoids the queues that develop later on. Then tackle the White Tower, where the second-longest queues form.

After that, by all means, experience the free Yeoman Warder tour. The numbers in the tour group will likely be smaller, too.

Visiting the Tower of London

Tickets for the Tower of London are best booked in advance – especially during the peak summer period. You can also visit with early access as part of a wider London tour, which includes the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and a cruise along the River Thames.

A raven at the Tower of London. Photo by David Whitley.

Things to do near the Tower of London

Walk across Tower Bridge. Located next to the Tower of London, Tower Bridge offers views along the Thames and an optional visit to the glass-floored walkways and engine rooms.
Visit St Katharine Docks. Just a short walk away, this former dock area has a marina, cafés and restaurants, and a quieter atmosphere than the main riverside.
Explore the Thames Path. The riverside route near the Tower of London runs east towards Wapping and west towards London Bridge, with clear views of historic and modern landmarks.
See HMS Belfast. Moored on the Thames near London Bridge, this Second World War warship is open to visitors and easy to combine with a Tower of London visit.
Visit Borough Market. Around 1 mile away, Borough Market is one of London’s best-known food markets, offering street food, produce stalls and sit-down options.

More under-the-radar attractions worth knowing about include the Horniman Museum, Eltham Palace, Kenwood House and the Freud Museum.

Tower of London FAQs

Question	Answer
What is the Tower of London?	The Tower of London is a historic fortress on the north bank of the River Thames, known for its role as a royal palace, prison and home of the Crown Jewels.
Do I need to book Tower of London tickets in advance?	Booking tickets in advance is recommended, especially during busy periods, to secure entry and avoid queues.
How long does a visit to the Tower of London take?	Most visitors spend between 2 and 3 hours exploring the Tower of London, including the Crown Jewels and the White Tower.
Can you see the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London?	Yes. The Crown Jewels are one of the main highlights of the Tower of London and are included with standard admission.
Where is the Tower of London located?	The Tower of London is located in central London, next to Tower Bridge and close to the City of London.

More London travel

The cheeky way to get cheaper London Eye tickets.
Inside the Churchill War Rooms.
A guide to parking at Hampton Court Palace.
Phrases with naval origins in Greenwich.
How to get free entry to St Paul’s Cathedral.

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