- Who it’s for: Most visitors. Every ticket type works here, including timed tickets and combos.
- Where exactly: On the Tower Hill side of the fortress, near the Tower Shop. Tower Hill station is the closest.
- Crowds and waits: Expect some queuing on most days. The Tower is quietest before 11 am outside school holidays. During school holidays, mornings are busiest, so aim for after 1:30 pm.
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Step-free from Tower Hill station, platform to street. Wheelchairs are free to borrow at Business Reception, first come, first served. Accessible toilets and free BSL audio guide versions are available. Inside, expect cobbles and many stair-only areas.
- Pro tip: Have your ticket open before you reach the gate. Travel light, as large bags aren’t allowed and there’s no left luggage.
- Best for: First-timers, independent visitors, and anyone arriving via Tower Hill station.
Your guide to the Tower of London entrances | West Gate & Middle Drawbridge
The Tower of London has two entrances: the West Gate by Tower Hill and the Middle Drawbridge on the Wharf by the Thames. Most visitors enter through the West Gate. Some group tours meet and begin at the Middle Drawbridge.
- Shortest queues: The Middle Drawbridge is normally quieter than the West Gate. If you use the West Gate, aim for 9–9:30 am or before 11 am at the latest.
- Timed tickets: West Gate. Any ticket also works at the Middle Drawbridge.
- Guided tours: Opening Ceremony tours and groups meet at the Middle Drawbridge.
- Step-free access: West Gate, reached via step-free Tower Hill station. The gate is also wheelchair accessible.
- Re-entry: Not permitted once you leave.
Tower of London entrances
Find the right lane based on your ticket type
| Ticket type | Which lane to use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Standard entry ticket | Main visitor entrance | Complete the security check before scanning your ticket. Arrive around 15 minutes before your time slot. |
Skip-the-line or timed entry | Main visitor entrance | Skip-the-line applies to the ticket queue only. All visitors must still pass through security screening. |
Guided tour | Main visitor entrance or Middle Drawbridge entrance | Enter using your ticket first, then meet your guide or join the scheduled tour inside the Tower grounds. |
Combo tickets and attraction passes | Main visitor entrance | Use the standard ticket-holder lane unless your booking specifically states a separate meeting point. |
Which entrance should you choose?
West Gate
Middle Drawbridge
- Who it’s for: Groups and Opening Ceremony early-entry guests. Any ticket holder can use it, but it isn’t the default.
- Where exactly: On the Wharf, the riverside side of the Tower facing the Thames.
- Crowds and waits: Often quieter than the West Gate for pre-booked guests. Opening Ceremony guests enter before the Tower opens, so there’s no admission queue.
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, but the bridge surface is filled with historic cobblestones. Rolling can be bumpy and difficult. It isn’t the recommended or gentler approach.
- Pro tip: If you’re on the Opening Ceremony experience, arrive on time. Late guests still get in, but through the main entrance after the ceremony.
- Best for: Opening Ceremony early-entry guests, groups, and visitors arriving along the Wharf from Tower Pier or Tower Bridge.
Accessible entrances at the Tower of London
- Wheelchair-accessible entrances: Both entrances have wheelchair access. The West Gate is the gentler route. The Middle Drawbridge has historic cobbles, so rolling can be bumpy.
- Getting there: Tower Hill (Underground), London Bridge (Overground) and Tower Gateway (DLR) stations have lifts to street level. Blue Badge bays are at Tower Hill Coach and Car Park. Taxi and coach drop-off is on Lower Thames Street, a two-minute walk away.
- Companion and concession tickets: Registered disabled visitors get a concession ticket. One carer or companion enters free. Add the carer ticket when you book online. Bring a Blue Badge, Freedom Pass, DLA or PIP letter if you’re using a concession ticket.
- On arrival: Wheelchairs are free to borrow, first come, first served. They can’t be pre-booked, so ask staff on entry. Hidden disability wristbands are available from the Ticket Office or the entrance. Assistance dogs are welcome.
- Inside is much harder than the entrance: The Jewel House has level access. The White Tower only reaches the basement shop. There’s no lift or ramp to the Battlements, Bloody Tower, or Imprisonment at the Tower.
Security, bags & re-entry
Every visitor passes through mandatory security screening and bag checks before entering the Tower of London at the West Gate or Middle Drawbridge entrance. Small backpacks and handbags are permitted, but there are no cloakrooms or storage lockers on-site. Suitcases, large rolling luggage, tripods, selfie sticks, and sharp objects are strictly prohibited. Photography is allowed across the grounds, but is strictly banned inside the Jewel House and Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula.
No re-entry: Your admission ticket is valid for one entry only. Once you exit through the main gates, re-entry is not permitted. Complete your visits to the Crown Jewels, White Tower, cafes, and shops before leaving.
Practical visitor tips for entering the Tower
- Arrive 10–15 minutes early: Plan your visit and reach the Tower of London West Gate slightly ahead of your timed entry slot to clear security checks without feeling rushed.
- Travel light: Avoid bringing large bags. Smaller daypacks pass through security lines much faster and make navigating narrow medieval spiral staircases easier.
- Keep moving past security: Avoid stopping immediately after passing the West Gate Tower of London security checkpoint; step into the outer ward before checking maps or adjusting gear.
- Head straight to high-demand spots: Walk straight to the Jewel House upon entry to see the Crown Jewels before line build-ups start, or join an early Yeoman Warder tour near Byward Tower.
Frequently asked questions about Tower of London entrances
Individual visitors holding advance tickets enter through the main Tower of London West Gate. Have your digital or printed tickets ready to scan after passing security checks.
Commercial tour groups (15+ people) and school parties enter via the Middle Drawbridge Group Entrance along the Thames Wharf. Individual guided tours booked via third parties still meet outside the main West Gate plaza.
The West Gate Tower of London is the primary general entrance. Queue lengths are shortest right at opening time (9 am Tue–Sat, 10 am Sun–Mon). Group ticket holders use the Middle Drawbridge entrance on the Wharf.
No. Skip-the-line tickets use the same public entrance as everyone else. They reduce or eliminate the ticket purchase queue but do not bypass mandatory security screening.
Yeoman Warder tours begin inside the Tower after you've entered through the main visitor entrance. Tours are included with admission and generally depart every 45 minutes throughout the day.
Tower Hill Underground Station is the closest, about a five-minute walk away, and offers step-free access to street level. From there, simply follow the signs to the Tower's main entrance.
No, Traitors' Gate is a historic Water Gate under St. Thomas's Tower viewed from inside the fortress. All public visitors must enter via the landside West Gate or Group Entrance.
No. Tower of London tickets are valid for one entry only. Once you leave the site, re-entry is not permitted, so it's best to complete your entire visit before exiting.
The West Gate is on the Tower Hill side of the Tower of London and serves as the principal public entrance for most visitors. It is approximately a 2–3 minute walk from Tower Hill Underground Station.
It's best to arrive 10–15 minutes before your timed entry slot. This gives you enough time for ticket checks and security screening without feeling rushed, especially during busy periods.
All visitors pass through airport-style security screening. Bags may be searched, and prohibited items such as large luggage, tripods, selfie sticks, and bulky equipment aren't permitted inside the Tower.
Yes, the approach from Tower Hill is generally one of the Tower's most accessible arrival routes. However, many historic buildings and towers inside the complex remain inaccessible because of medieval staircases and uneven surfaces.
Yes. Although most visitors simply pass through it, the West Gate marks the transition from modern London into one of Europe's best-preserved medieval fortresses. Taking a moment to appreciate the approach, the defensive layout, and your first views inside the walls provides valuable context for everything you'll see during the rest of your visit.
