How much time should I allow for Tower of London
Sep 13th, 2003, 07:13 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How much time should I allow for Tower of London
My sister and I will be taking a Great Britain tour that starts in London. For free time we will have Tues. from 1pm on and Wed afternoon/eve, then our tour moves on. We'd like to tour the Tower (mostly see the crown jewels). Should we take the Beefeater tour? I'm trying to figure out when we should schedule and line things up so we can see and do as much as possible before we leave.
Sep 13th, 2003, 07:30 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,873
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
if you don't take a Beefeater tour you will really be missing out. One problem you face is that it is usually best to get to the Tower just at or before opening time to avoid the lines. With your schedule you can't do that. The good news is that often late in the afternoon - around 2 hours before closing time the lines are shorter.
So that is when I would go - after 3 PM either day.
So that is when I would go - after 3 PM either day.
Sep 13th, 2003, 07:37 PM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't miss the tour, but also don't call them Beefeaters, the more polite title is Yeoman Warder. These guys are very informative, and more than willing to pose for pictures. I would plan on at least three hours. Also, don't forget that Tower Bridge is nearby.
Sep 15th, 2003, 09:52 AM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sep 15th, 2003, 10:04 AM
#9
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We visited the Tower of London on a Sunday in July 2003 with no advance tickets, and we spent only a short time in the queues. Maybe we were lucky, but I think it would have been more trouble to get an advance ticket (unless you can get a discount).
Sep 15th, 2003, 10:35 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 640
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Advance tickets can also be purchased at many London Underground stations.
You did not say when you are going to be in London. The Tower is especially crowded during mid-days in the peak tourism months, which are waning as the fall approaches.
If your nights are free, you might also want to write ahead and try to get (free) tickets to the ancient Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower.
Go to this URL (cut and paste into your browser) for info:
http://www.hrp.org.uk/webcode/content.asp?ID=622
Notice that I said "also" write away for these tickets...the ceremony is terrific, but it is no substitute for a Yeoman Warder tour of the Tower, followed by an hour or two to explore the site on your own.
Enjoy your visit!
Dave White
[email protected]
You did not say when you are going to be in London. The Tower is especially crowded during mid-days in the peak tourism months, which are waning as the fall approaches.
If your nights are free, you might also want to write ahead and try to get (free) tickets to the ancient Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower.
Go to this URL (cut and paste into your browser) for info:
http://www.hrp.org.uk/webcode/content.asp?ID=622
Notice that I said "also" write away for these tickets...the ceremony is terrific, but it is no substitute for a Yeoman Warder tour of the Tower, followed by an hour or two to explore the site on your own.
Enjoy your visit!
Dave White
[email protected]
Sep 15th, 2003, 11:09 AM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,611
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I bought my ticket voucher in the same little office at Victoria Station where I was picking up my London Visitors Pass for the tube.
The line to buy tickets that day in the off season (March) was a block long. There was no line at all to turn in my voucher for a ticket.
Keith
The line to buy tickets that day in the off season (March) was a block long. There was no line at all to turn in my voucher for a ticket.
Keith
