Tower of London and Tower Bridge: A Perfect Day

The Tower of London and Tower Bridge are often confused for one another, but they're two separate attractions two minutes apart — and together they make one of the best days out in London. If you're booking Tower of London tours, it's worth knowing how to fold the bridge in without a rush.

The two are not the same

The Tower of London is the ancient royal fortress, home to the Crown Jewels and the ravens. Tower Bridge is the Victorian bascule bridge beside it, with a high-level glass walkway and the original engine rooms you can tour. They have separate tickets and separate entrances. Do the Tower first — it's bigger and busier — and the bridge second.

A morning-to-evening itinerary

• Morning: arrive at the Tower for opening, straight to the Crown Jewels, then the White Tower and a Beefeater tour. Allow two to three hours.
• Lunch: break at St Katharine Docks, a two-minute walk, with waterside cafes and pubs.
• Afternoon: cross to Tower Bridge for the glass walkway and engine rooms, and the views back over the Tower.
• Evening: a Thames river cruise from Tower Pier, or a stroll along the South Bank as the bridge lights up.

What else is nearby

The area rewards a wander. HMS Belfast is moored just upriver, the Sky Garden offers free skyline views a short walk away, and the whole South Bank unfolds westward toward Borough Market. For an atmospheric finish, an after-hours tour lets you see the Tower floodlit and empty after the crowds have gone.

To plan the Tower half of the day in detail, see our guide to how long you need and the visitor guide.