Tower of London, Yes or No?
 

Helloo

I spoke to a friend recently, saying I was hoping to go see the Tower of London when I visit the UK from Canada this summer, which I've not visited since a boy. At 16 pounds entry fee, he told me I should skip it, since he said they herd you through like cattle, with massive tour mobs.

I believe that this was his experience there, but was wondering if there's a way to avoid this sort of experience (I know I'll be there height of tourist season: in July, but maybe going first thing in the morning on a Wednesday, for example?). I love history and consequently would be a bit heavy-hearted if I couldn't go, but then again I don't like to be herded through especially, preferring to take my time, read informatory plaques, listen to audio, etc...

Go or skip, this is the question....

Daniel

Go. It's a fascinating place. If you have a map, you don't need to go with a tour group if you choose not to. Hubby and I explored on our own and had a great time.

Absolutely go. If you go first thing in the morning you can avoid some of the hordes of people.

You aren't necessarily herded through, since you can wander around at your own leisure for as long as you like. I do recommend the Yeoman Warder tours, which are about 30-45 minutes, but then you can do the White Tower & Crown jewels on your own.

I do not understand why anybody would tell you that!

The Tower of London is an absolute highlight of a London visit. We spent absolutely hours and hours there - we even took our lunch and sat on one of the benches enjoying sandwiches and hot tea.

As suggested by dexters the Yeoman Warders tours are fabulous - funny, informative and included in the price of entry!

Everything on display is clearly detailed and the Crown Jewels well -I went back a number of times to see them again - how special!

If I were to visit London again I feel sure that the Tower would definitely be a place I'd like to see again!

Definitely go! And take the Yeoman tour as others have suggested. It's one of the most fascinating places in that very fascinating city.

www.hereinfranklin.wordpress.com

If you have any interest in history at all it's not to be missed. I disagree with the "herding" comment - have been twice and didn't feel that way either time. Do go first thing, before the ticket office opens, and have a plan of attack. No need to go with a tour if you've done your homework IMO.

As you are a history lover, perhaps you would like to attend the nightly Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower. It's a 700 year old ritual, and the number of people admitted is limited.
Admission is free, but you have to put forth some effort well ahead of your trip to make the arrangements:
http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/...ofthekeys.aspx
Note that to obtain the "coupon response internationals",ie. postage, needed for the request, you go to your local post office. Ask for IRCs.

You won't get to wander around the Tower during this tour, but my family thought it was a special experience. Even if you do the Ceremony, I still recommend going during the daytime.

Even IF your friend was right (which he is definitely NOT...) there should be no hesitation whatsoever for a history lover to visit the Tower of London. I have to say this just in case you hear the same of the Eiffel Tower (where it actually feels like cattle herding...) and decide not to visit either. There are places you just have to go if you ever in the neighborhood...

Why go to London and NOT see one of it's most famous sites?

16 pounds isn't cheap but if you were that interested in saving money you'd be staying home... right? ;^)

Rob

We toured the Tower of London on our own this past summer. There were tour groups but they didn't affect our visit.

Thank you.

The way he described it sounded like they keep you moving through it at such a pace that you could not stop to appreciate (like they want to get you in-and-out (like a popular roller-coaster ride) to accommodate as many people so as to make as much money as possible), with a constant push of people behind you. History-lover that I am, this scenario was so unappealing (especially considering the 16 pounds), I actually was contemplating forgetting it.

He's not the sort to lie about something; one thought is that it could have been on a weekend, a crowded day where it WAS a particular mob scene? Or maybe since he's going to be in England at the same time as me, perhaps he's trying to get me to do something else because he wants my company to visit places HE wants to see instead, so that's why he's trying to paint the Tower in as exaggeratedly negative terms as possible? Anyhow, you good folks have re-assured me. I will NOW unquestionably be visiting the Tower of London, which before I mentioned it to my friend was close to #1 on my priority list of things to do during my stay. Given my much greater knowledge of history now, I think I will appreciate much more than I did in 1979 or so when I saw it last (as an 8-year-old)! I am excited about seeing the Tower again!

Thank you again! DANIEL

Hi Daniel. Glad to hear you're going to visit the Tower of London. I thought it was fascinating. It was crowded while we were there, but not mobbed - we went in the late afternoon.

When you visit the crown jewels at the Jewel House it does gets a bit theme park-y. There are velvet ropes that zig zag you back and forth. There is even a conveyor belt that you ride pass the various crowns and scepters. However -- that is just the one small part. The rest of the Tower you are pretty much free to roam around and read the plaques to your hearts content.

I love the Tower and I'm sure you will too. I do understand if your friend doesn't want to go back. If that's the case -- split up and meet up with him later.

There is nothing theme park-y about those jewels. The smaller ones are bigger than your eyeballs. They are awesome, conveyor belt or no.

Did you question your friend about it in more detail? For instance was HE part of a tour group, or coming off a tour BUS with a large group --- then you are BOUND to feel in the midst of a mob.

If you get up bright and early, and are standing at the entry at opening time (8 am?) you will NOT be too crowded, because the tours collect their people at hotels, so don't get to major sites until 9:30 or so.

We went in early September, which was still PRIME tourist season, about 9 am, and it was not unpleasantly crowded. PS: if you haven't been since you ware a boy, you have a TREAT in store!! I hadn't been since the 1960s and in 2000, I was delighted at the improvement in the experience -- great signage, people in costume explaining stuff, etc.

I was thought the same thing as BKP, maybe your friend was thinking about the Crown Jewels exhibit and not the Tower as a whole when he told you that.

I'm glad you've decided to listen to your heart (and the posters who responded here) instead of following your friend's advice. I come from a famiy of history lovers and when we went to the Tower a couple of years ago in April, we happily spent all day. I'm sure there are more crowds in July but there are strategies for beating the worst of them. Try doing a search on the boards, I know many posters have given tips about the best way to visit the Tower.

I'm incredibly thankful to you, BKP, having confirmed something he said that sounded strange to me that I'd not mentioned in my initial query....He did say something about getting rushed through with a conveyor belt and zig-zag ropes when he mentioned the herding (which you must admit sounded horrible if that's all what a visit to the Tower had become). And given that you kind folk were saying one could explore at one's leisure, I was beginning to think he was being deceitful for a reason beyond my comprehension; so, he must be referring to the Crown Jewels section (although the way he phrased it was as if the whole Tower were like that)...

Thanks so much for this post!

I would get a new friend. :)

You shouldn't skip the Tower of London. We went first thing on a Sunday morning in April and there was no one else there. Even if you go during high tourist season, first thing in the morning usually is best for famous sites.

Here's another vote in favor of the Tower of London and taking the Yeoman Warder tour, which I found informative and enjoyable.

And definitely see the crown jewels, but the best option is to get there right when the Tower opens and see the crown jewels first thing, as lines can get very long in a hurry for this part.

Daniel-- you are one strange bird; on your original post you noted to be a history lover who have chosen to visit London (one of the most expensive cities in Europe) this summer (the most expensive time of the year). You are pondering paying 16 pounds #-o to visit the Tower of London #-o as a friend (who you later allude may have been maliciously misleading you) advise against it.

Dan my man, you are thinking this way too much...fork out the 16 pounds and make your own mind....

I enjoyed my visit to the Tower of London and asked many questions just walking through. If I remember correctly I was told the crown weighs about 5 lbs or more. That is alot of weight!

It would be crazy not to go.

And there's no need to join a group - you can do it all on your own in your own time.

Absolutely go!!! I've been to London twice and went to the Tower both times....and I'll go again when I return to London.

Thanks to all! Tower of London is definitely on the agenda and I like the idea of the Ceremony of the Keys and the Yeoman Warder Tours!

Viajero-- Perhaps this post looks suspicious...like I'm trolling? :) I can assure you I genuinely am trying to prioritize my time and money in London (I'm a teacher so live with limited means; a cousin invited me whose husband works there living in Hampstead, so this is part of the draw to come this most interesting yet expensive city this summer, to take advantage of this opportunity to avoid exorbitant accommodation expenses, while my cousin is still there). A friend had advised against the Tower of London, and there are other places I want to see (including old haunts, having lived in London as a youth (1978-1982)); I really might have skipped the Tower had that been the general Fodor's consensus! I must admit to taking a definitively troll-like enjoyment ;) to the banter of opinions though.

Thanks again to all!

Buy your ticket in advance (you can do so online with enough lead time for them to be mailed to you). Then you don't have to stand in the ticket line. Get there 10 minutes before opening time, and join the much smaller queue of people who already have their tickets. Once you enter, go straight to the crown jewels before it gets crowded and you get "herded" through the zig-zags by others pressing behind you.

Spend as much time as you like gawking at the jewels. Then go outside and look for the next yeoman tour---join that and have some fun.

We spent 3 hours there altogether, and it was WELL worth it.

If you aren't sure, get free advance tickets for the Ceremony of the Keys, which is held on the grounds of the Tower of London every evening. Look up the procedure online.

<<< At 16 pounds entry fee, he told me I should skip it >>>

http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/tower-of-london

You need a PAPER London travelcard which has to be bought at a TRAIN station booking office rather than aTube station

The Crown is indeed very heavy, and the Queen has it out for a few days before the rare occasions it's used, so that she can practise moving around in it. I heard of a policeman on security duty at the Palace early one morning who was being troubled by one of the corgis that had been let out for a run: a sudden piercing whistle shut the dog up, and the copper turned to see Her Maj on the terrace, in her nightie and curlers, fingers in her mouth to make the whistle - with the Crown on her head.

Why skip maybe the most historic spot in the Western World? Would you also consider skipping the Forum in Rome because it's too hot and crowded? Absolutely go. Watch any of the many Tudor movies/TV series/documentaries out there and you'll be itching to stay even longer.

I guess what all this illustrates is how different people can view the same thing but come away with different impressions...

People often seem to complain about the dog p__p on the streets of Paris... in 2 visits the past 2 summers my wife and I noticed almost none.

Some people seem to have enjoyed the Jeff Koons exhibit at Versailles... others found them to be a joke.

One person's being herded through the Tower of London is another person's leisurely stroll...

I guess it all adds up to chacun a son gout.

Rob

Otzi---I do love history; I’ve indeed watched the Tudors TV series, Elizabeth with both Helen Mirren and Cate Blanchett. Look, I have 5-6 days based in London. But I enjoy Roman history as well; St. Albans (Verulamium) I went as a boy and would like to go back now as a man (I’ll be seeing Bath when based a few days in Southwest England). And I definitely want to walk in the Hampstead Heath (which I loved as a boy) and around my old neighbourhood near Golders Green to see a few of my parents’ friends. I’d love to see Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, the British Museum, the Tate Gallery, the Globe Theatre, Kew Gardens, Hampton Court Palace…and then Canterbury and Dover are so close…many of which are also important places in the history of the Western world, no? These all seem un-missable too, don’t they? And I really should spend time with my cousin, who’s kindly offered her place. But wait, I’m running out of time now! Especially me who doesn’t want to rush something! Decisions need to be made… the London area is jam-packed with activities…despite the importance of certain places, things need to be cut… I accept that this is way it must be…

Is it really so surprising that a history-lover might consider cutting the Tower of London when a friend described it as a crowded place with conveyer belts pushing people through, given all the many historic sites I’m already considering (and really, I’ve just gotten started with that list)? Now I know the conveyer belt is only for the Crown Jewels with other parts that may be explored in a leisurely fashion, and that crowds are not so bad with advance ticket purchase and early arrival. With this knowledge and the enthusiasm expressed here, thanks to you and everyone else, the Tower of London is now NOT on the chopping block :).

To all who responded (including late-comers; I’ve read each and every post), again I am sincerely appreciative for all the advice.

Kindly, Daniel

Definitely visit the Tower. The Ceremony of the Keys is really cool. The tradition of locking up at sunset within the Tower grounds is very interesting. Also, it's free and it's a limited crowd, so you will hear and see everything easily. Get your tickets well in advance.

I third (or fourth?) the suggestion that you purchase your ticket in advance and be there as soon as it opens.

Go straight to the jewel exhibit - it is a much different experience when you are one of the only ones there to see them, versus fighting the crowds. I was able to spend quite a bit of time looking at the display, walking in place on the conveyor belt and circling around the case several times (yes I like sparkly things).

Depending on how long you spend looking at the jewels, you may be able to catch the first yeoman tour, but I would get there with enough time to make sure you're close enough to hear. The tours do attract a sizeable crowd and it can be hard to get within hearing range sometimes.

If you get frustrated with the crowd on the tour, I would try to stick it out because at the end you go inside the chapel, which (I believe) is not open unless you are part of the tour.

I’ll bet Anne Boleyn would have preferred to put the Tower of London on the chopping block, unfortunately, instead the Tower put her on… (sorry, I know that was bad…:))

Hey Daniel! If you go early and are one of the first people in line, then go straight to the Crown Jewels, ride the conveyer belt 4-5 times (we did that--there were only 3 other people there) until your eyes bug out at the sight of the HUGE jewels; then go take the wonderful Yeoman's tour, then explore whatever you want at your own pace. It's a great place.

Funny --- I've been to the Tower maybe 10 times over the past 30 years and only saw the Jewels once. Just not interested, personally. I've never felt rushed or crowded in any of the individual towers or the museums. Your friend must've visited on free admission day!

It is now 16 pounds 50 for adult ticket.