When you live in London, it’s easy to walk past the Tower of London without a second thought. Maybe you’ve taken the Tube past Tower Hill station a hundred times, or you’ve glanced at its medieval walls while waiting for a coffee at Tower Bridge’s nearby espresso bar. But this isn’t just another landmark - it’s the beating heart of London’s history, a place where kings were crowned, traitors were executed, and the Crown Jewels have been guarded for over 700 years. If you’ve never gone inside, or if you’ve only seen it from the outside, you’re missing one of London’s most powerful experiences.
What You Won’t Find on Tourist Brochures
Most visitors think of the Tower as a castle with fancy jewels. But locals know better. The Tower of London is more like a living archive - a place where history still breathes. You won’t find crowds of selfie-stick-wielding tourists in the early morning, when the gates open at 9 AM. That’s when the Beefeaters - the Yeoman Warders - start their daily patrols, boots crunching on gravel, their red uniforms sharp against the grey stone. These aren’t actors. They’re retired British Army sergeants with at least 22 years of service. Many live in the Tower itself, in apartments passed down through generations. One Beefeater I spoke to last year told me his great-grandfather was stationed here in 1912. That’s not tourism - that’s lineage.The Crown Jewels are the obvious draw, but most people rush through them. Don’t. Stand in front of the 1661 Imperial State Crown - the one with the 317-carat Cullinan II diamond - and look at the weight of it. It’s not just glitter. It’s a symbol of continuity. Queen Elizabeth II wore it at her coronation. King Charles III wore it at his. It’s been used in every coronation since 1661. And it’s still here, behind bulletproof glass, watched over by armed guards. That’s not just a display. It’s a ritual.
Hidden Corners Only Locals Know
Beyond the crowds, the Tower has quiet corners most visitors never see. Head to the Bloody Tower - yes, that’s its real name - and climb the narrow stairs to the small window on the second floor. It’s the same one where Prince Edward and his brother, the ‘Princes in the Tower’, were last seen alive in 1483. No plaque. No audio guide. Just the view of the Thames, the same one that carried barges carrying royal prisoners centuries ago.Then there’s the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula. It’s small, quiet, and often overlooked. Inside, you’ll find the graves of Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, and Thomas More. Locals leave small tokens here - a single rose, a folded note, sometimes a tea bag from Fortnum & Mason. It’s not a tourist tradition. It’s a London one. People come here after a hard week, after a loss, after a quiet moment of reflection. The chapel doesn’t have a gift shop. It doesn’t need one.
When to Go - And How to Avoid the Lines
If you’re a Londoner, you know timing matters. The Tower opens at 9 AM every day except December 24-26. Go early. If you arrive before 9:15, you’ll beat the tour groups from Victoria Coach Station and the cruise ships docked at Greenwich. Weekends are packed, especially Sundays when families from Ealing or Croydon come for a day out. But if you go on a weekday - say, a Tuesday in February - you can walk through the Jewel House in under ten minutes. No queues. No shouting kids. Just you and history.Pro tip: Buy your ticket online. Yes, it’s £34 for adults. But if you have a London Pass, you’re already covered. And if you’re over 60, live in a London borough, or work in the city, you can get a 10% discount with your Oyster card. Don’t assume it’s not possible - ask at the ticket desk. Many don’t know it exists.
The Beefeaters and Their Rum Rations
The Yeoman Warders aren’t just guides. They’re storytellers. Their tours aren’t scripted. They’re personal. One Beefeater I met last autumn told me about the time a woman from Hackney cried when she saw the sword of Oliver Cromwell. “She said her great-great-grandmother worked here as a laundress,” he told me. “She felt like she was standing where her family stood.”And yes, they still get their rum ration. Every Beefeater receives a daily allowance of half a pint of rum - a tradition dating back to 1680. It’s not for drinking on duty. It’s a ceremonial perk. Some keep the bottles. Others trade them. I’ve heard of one exchanging his ration for a crate of Whitbread Best Bitter from a pub in Bermondsey. That’s the kind of London detail you won’t find on Google.
What’s New in 2026
This year, the Tower has reopened the medieval Royal Armouries gallery with new lighting and interactive displays. You can now see Henry VIII’s jousting armour up close - the one with the gold leaf and the helmet shaped like a lion’s head. There’s also a new exhibition on the 1941 bombing that damaged the White Tower. It’s not flashy. It’s quiet. Photos from the Blitz, letters from soldiers, and a single intact plate from the King’s mess hall - cracked but still in use.And if you’re into food, don’t miss the new Tower Tavern inside the complex. It’s run by a local family from Southwark, and their beef and ale pie is made with meat from a farm in Kent. It’s not fancy. It’s honest. And it’s the only place in the Tower where you can sit down with a pint of Camden Hells and watch the Thames flow past.
Why This Matters to Londoners
The Tower isn’t just a relic. It’s a mirror. Every time you walk across Tower Bridge, or take the DLR past the moat, you’re passing through layers of London’s soul. It’s where the city’s power was forged - in blood, in ceremony, in silence. You don’t need to be a history buff to feel it. You just need to be here.So next time you’re in the area - maybe after a meeting at Canary Wharf, or a walk along the South Bank - take ten minutes. Walk through the gates. Don’t rush. Look up at the towers. Listen for the wind. And remember: this isn’t just a tourist spot. It’s part of who we are.
Can I visit the Tower of London for free as a London resident?
No, there’s no general free entry for Londoners. But if you’re over 60, have a London borough council card, or work in the City of London, you can get a 10% discount on tickets by showing your Oyster card at the ticket desk. Some local libraries also offer free entry vouchers during special events - check with your nearest branch.
Is the Tower of London open on bank holidays?
Yes, the Tower is open on most bank holidays, including Spring Bank Holiday and August Bank Holiday. Hours are usually 10 AM to 5:30 PM. It closes only on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Always check the official website before visiting - weather or special events can cause last-minute changes.
How long does it take to see the Tower properly?
You can do a quick tour in 90 minutes, but if you want to truly absorb it - read the plaques, sit in the chapel, watch the Beefeaters, and soak in the atmosphere - plan for at least three hours. Locals often come back twice in one day: once in the morning, once at dusk, when the lights come on and the crowds are gone.
Are there good food options near the Tower?
Absolutely. Outside the Tower’s main gate, you’ll find St. Katharine Docks - a food market with artisanal pies, oysters from Colchester, and craft beer from London breweries like Meantime and Camden. For a proper pub lunch, head to The Anchor in Bankside - it’s been serving ale since 1726. Or grab a sandwich from Brick Lane Bagels and eat it by the moat.
Can I bring my dog to the Tower of London?
Only guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed inside the Tower. But the surrounding grounds - including Tower Bridge Approach and the Southwark riverside path - are dog-friendly. Many locals walk their dogs along the Thames Path and stop to look at the Tower from a distance. It’s a quiet ritual, especially at sunrise.
If you’ve lived in London for years and never stepped inside the Tower, you’re not alone. But now you know what you’re missing. It’s not just stone and jewels. It’s the echo of a city that never stopped being itself.
