A visit to London is incomplete without stepping back in time at the Tower of London, one of the most famous and important fortresses in the world. Officially His Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, this landmark sits on the north bank of the River Thames and has had many roles across its long history: a royal palace, a strong fortress, a political prison, a place of execution, an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, and the safe home of the Crown Jewels. Its thick stone walls have seen royal ceremonies and grim imprisonments. Planning your visit helps a lot. And packing right matters, since convenient Tower of London storage point options exist nearby to help you move around the site without heavy bags.
Inside the Tower, there is a lot to see and learn. The Crown Jewels are a dazzling collection of 23,578 gemstones that still play a role in royal ceremonies today. The Yeoman Warders, often called ‘Beefeaters’, guard the Tower and give entertaining talks and tours about its history. Watch for the famous ravens. Tradition says the ravens protect the Crown and the Tower, and legend holds that if they ever leave, the kingdom and the Tower will fall. You can also visit the White Tower, the oldest major building within the fortress, built by William the Conqueror. The White Tower now holds an important collection of arms and armour from the Royal Armouries. Walking here means you follow in the steps of Anne Boleyn, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Guy Fawkes. The stones around you hold stories of power, protection, and pain.
Tower of London Bag Policy
Understanding the Tower of London’s bag rules is a key part of planning your visit. The site’s main priority is the safety of visitors, staff, and the priceless objects inside. All visitors are required to undergo a bag check before admission, and Historic Royal Palaces reserves the right to search visitors before they enter. These rules also help people move safely through the Tower’s narrow and historic spaces. If you know the rules before you pack, you can avoid delays and disappointment.
Types of Bags Allowed
The Tower of London does not publish a specific maximum bag size in centimetres for ordinary visitor bags. Small personal bags can be brought into the site, subject to the required security check.
Visitors must keep their belongings with them throughout their visit because there is no general bag-storage facility inside the Tower.
There is also no clear-bag requirement, and Historic Royal Palaces does not state that using a transparent bag provides faster security screening.
Because many parts of the Tower have narrow passages, stairs, and historic interiors, it is best to travel as lightly as possible and use a bag that is easy to carry without obstructing other visitors.
Types of Bags Not Allowed
Historic Royal Palaces specifically states that suitcases, large bags, and rolling luggage are not permitted inside the Tower of London.
There is no official published rule saying that every bag above a specific measurement such as 40cm x 30cm x 20cm will automatically be rejected, so these dimensions should not be used as an official limit.
Other prohibited items include weapons, lock knives or knives with blades over 3 inches (7.62cm), fireworks, smoke bombs, pepper spray or other items intended to cause injury, and anything illegal to possess under UK law.
If you are travelling with a suitcase, large travel bag, or rolling luggage, arrange storage elsewhere before arriving.
Tower of London Lockers
One of the most important facts for first-time visitors is that the Tower of London has no left-luggage or general bag-storage facilities on-site.
Historic Royal Palaces specifically states that visitors must keep their belongings with them and that suitcases, large bags, and rolling luggage will not be permitted inside the Tower.
There is therefore no public locker or cloakroom service where you can arrive with oversized luggage and simply leave it before beginning your visit.
So, plan ahead. Turning up with a suitcase after leaving your hotel or with other oversized luggage may mean you cannot enter until you find somewhere else to store it. Visitors with large items are advised to leave them at their accommodation or use an external luggage-storage provider near the Tower before entry.
Tower of London Transportation
Getting to the Tower of London is easy because it’s centrally located and well served by public transport. The London Underground, also called the Tube, is one of the fastest ways to travel. The nearest station is Tower Hill, around a five-minute walk from the Tower. Tower Hill is served by the District and Circle lines and has step-free access to street level.
Other Underground stations including Monument, Bank, Aldgate, and Aldgate East are approximately 10–15 minutes away on foot. Tower Gateway DLR station is also nearby.
Buses are another good option. Current routes serving stops around Tower Hill and the Tower of London include 15, 42, 78, 100, and 343. Route 15 connects the area with places including St Paul’s Cathedral and Charing Cross, but it should not be described as routinely operating with classic heritage Routemaster buses.
For a memorable arrival, try the river. Tower Pier sits next to the Tower entrance and is served by riverboat services from several London piers, including Westminster and London Eye. Current services and schedules should be checked before travelling.
You can also use National Rail. Fenchurch Street and London Bridge stations are around 10–15 minutes’ walk from the Tower, while Liverpool Street is approximately 20 minutes away.
Tower of London Camera Policy
Visitors are welcome to take non-commercial photographs in most areas of the Tower of London. Personal photography with a phone or camera is therefore generally allowed where no restriction is displayed.
However, there are important exceptions. Photography is not permitted inside the Jewel House, where the Crown Jewels are displayed. Historic Royal Palaces also currently prohibits photography in the Chapel of St John in the White Tower, while its visitor FAQ additionally identifies the Martin Tower and some temporary exhibitions as areas where photography may be restricted. Individual objects may also carry their own photography restrictions because of loan arrangements.
Visitors should therefore follow the signs and staff instructions in each area rather than assuming the same rule applies throughout the entire site.
Flash photography is not permitted in the historic spaces. Tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited, while equipment such as monopods and gimbals may not be used without prior arrangements with Historic Royal Palaces.
Commercial and media photography or filming requires advance permission from the Historic Royal Palaces Media and PR Team.
Tower of London Food Policy
Visitors are welcome to bring their own food, drinks, and picnic blankets to the Tower of London.
This can be useful for families, visitors with special diets, or anyone who wants to bring their own lunch or snacks. However, Historic Royal Palaces states that food and drink must not be consumed inside the historic buildings except in designated areas.
The current general visitor information does not publish a blanket rule saying that all personally brought non-alcoholic drinks must meet a particular bottle type or size, nor does the Tower’s current prohibited-items list state a general visitor-wide ban on bringing alcohol. Visitors should follow any signage and staff instructions applying to specific areas or events.
If you prefer not to bring food, the Tower has several on-site places to eat and drink. These currently include the New Armouries Café, Ravens Café, Jewels Kiosk, seasonal carts, and the Tower of London Café on Tower Wharf. Food options include hot meals, soups, sandwiches, salads, snacks, cakes, and drinks, with vegetarian, vegan, and selected gluten-free options available.
Other Tower of London Rules & Information
All visitors are required to pass through security before admission. A bag check is mandatory, and Historic Royal Palaces states that security measures may also include searches and sniffer dogs.
The process should not be described as universally identical to airport security, and the current visitor information does not state that every visitor necessarily passes through a metal detector. Allow extra time for the entrance queue, particularly during busy periods.
Accessibility is an important consideration because the Tower is a historic site. It has cobbled and uneven surfaces, steep and spiral staircases, low doorways, and restricted wheelchair access in some areas.
The Jewel House has level access, including a moving walkway that staff can stop when required. A wheelchair is available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be pre-booked.
The White Tower has a lift providing access to and from the basement shop, but it does not make the entire building step-free. There is no lift or ramp access to the Battlements, Bloody Tower, and Imprisonment at the Tower exhibitions. Visitors with mobility requirements should consult the current official accessibility guide before their visit.
Trained assistance dogs and medical alert dogs are welcome. Emotional support animals and other dogs are not permitted.
The Tower is a protected historic site and former royal palace, so visitors should behave with respect. Unless signs indicate otherwise, do not touch artworks, furniture, or displays. Follow staff instructions and health-and-safety signage throughout the site.
Smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere within the Tower of London, including both buildings and outdoor areas. There are no designated smoking zones within the visitor site.
The Tower also operates a no re-entry policy. Your admission ticket is valid for one entry only, and once you have exited the site you cannot return using the same ticket.
Tips for Visitors
The most important tip is to check the official Tower of London website before you go. That site is run by Historic Royal Palaces and gives the latest opening times, temporary route closures, exhibition information, ticket availability, and other visitor updates. Booking tickets online in advance is recommended during busy periods because popular dates can sell out.
Think carefully about what bag you bring. Since all visitors undergo a bag check and large or rolling luggage is not permitted, travelling light is the easiest option. However, there is no official clear-bag policy and no statement that transparent bags receive faster entry, so you do not need to buy or use a clear bag specifically for the Tower.
Finally, if you have luggage, plan ahead. Because there is no left-luggage service and suitcases, large bags, and rolling luggage are not permitted, arriving with bulky baggage can create problems at the entrance. Instead, use a nearby storage solution. For instance, Qeepl offers luggage storage near the Tower of London. Qeepl storage costs £3.69 per item per day, and luggage is protected by insurance coverage of £1,000.
FAQ
Can I take a bag into the Tower of London?
Yes, you can bring a small personal bag into the Tower of London, subject to the mandatory security check. However, Historic Royal Palaces does not publish a specific maximum size in centimetres for ordinary bags. Suitcases, large bags, and rolling luggage are not permitted, and there are no on-site left-luggage facilities.
Can you bring drinks into the Tower of London?
Yes. Historic Royal Palaces states that visitors are welcome to bring their own food, drink, and picnic blankets. However, food and drink cannot be consumed inside the historic buildings except in designated areas. Follow any additional signage or staff instructions applying to specific spaces or events.
What to wear to the Tower of London?
There is no specific general dress code, but visitors are asked to dress respectfully, and shoes must be worn. Comfortable footwear is strongly recommended because the Tower has uneven cobbled surfaces, worn steps, slopes, and steep staircases. Dress for the weather as well, since moving between attractions involves outdoor areas.
How early should I get to the Tower of London?
There is no official requirement to arrive exactly 15–30 minutes before your booked time. However, all visitors must undergo a bag check and queues are common because the Tower has limited entry points. Allow extra time, particularly during busy periods, and check your ticket and current visitor information before travelling.
Do you pay extra to see the Crown Jewels?
No. Access to the Crown Jewels in the Jewel House is included with standard Tower of London admission, along with other open public areas such as the White Tower, Battlements, Bloody Tower, Torture at the Tower exhibition, Fusiliers Museum, and Royal Mint exhibition. Yeoman Warder tours are also included, subject to availability.
Why are you not allowed to take photos of the Crown Jewels?
Historic Royal Palaces states that photography is not permitted in the Jewel House for security reasons. The official visitor information does not say that the rule exists because camera flashes would damage the gemstones, so that explanation should not be presented as an established reason.
