The Tower of London has confirmed what it will cost to visit in 2026 — including a little-known £1 ticket scheme that could make the capital’s most famous fortress accessible to thousands more Londoners.
Standard admission for adults aged 18 to 64 will be £38. Children aged five to 15, and young people aged 16 to 17, can visit for £19, while seniors over 65, full-time students and disabled visitors will be charged £30.30. Children under five, along with eligible carers and companions, go free.
The prices are exclusive of an optional donation, which visitors can choose to add when buying tickets. Members of Historic Royal Palaces — the charity that manages the Tower — enjoy free admission.
The £1 ticket scheme
The most eye-catching part of the announcement is the Tower’s discounted ticket scheme for visitors receiving certain benefits. Under the scheme, eligible visitors can gain entry for just £1 each.
The benefits that qualify include Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Historic Royal Palaces says the offer allows up to four people per household to visit for £1 each, with only one person required to provide supporting documents. The £1 tickets must be booked online in advance — availability is limited, and popular dates can sell out.
For a family of four, the scheme cuts the cost of a day out from well over £100 to just £4. It’s one of the most generous access schemes at any major London attraction, and it’s surprising how few Londoners know about it.
What you get
A standard admission ticket opens up the Tower’s public areas and several of its best-loved attractions: the White Tower, the Bloody Tower, the Fusiliers Museum and the Royal Mint exhibition.
Visitors can also view the Crown Jewels — the centrepiece of any Tower visit — and join a Yeoman Warder tour, where the Tower’s famous Beefeaters share stories about the fortress’s thousand-year history.
Some rooms and routes may be temporarily closed for conservation work, so it’s worth checking before you go if there’s something specific you want to see.
Planning your visit
Historic Royal Palaces recommends allowing two to three hours to explore the attraction properly. Afternoons after midday are generally quieter, though visitors are advised to check opening times in advance.
During the week of October 12 to 18, 2026, the Tower is open from 9am to 5.30pm Tuesday to Saturday, and from 10am to 5.30pm on Mondays and Sundays. Last admission is at 4.30pm.
The Tower of London, a historic fortress by the River Thames, remains one of the capital’s biggest draws. Home to the Crown Jewels and nearly a thousand years of history — from royal palace to prison to menagerie — it’s the kind of attraction that rewards repeat visits. There’s always something you missed the first time.
And with the £1 scheme, there’s never been a cheaper time to go.
The £38 adult ticket puts the Tower among London’s pricier major attractions — but it’s worth remembering what the money supports. Historic Royal Palaces is an independent charity that receives no government funding; ticket income goes directly into the conservation of six extraordinary historic sites, including Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace and the Tower itself.
The £1 scheme is part of that same mission: making sure the Tower’s history belongs to everyone, not just those who can afford the full price. For Londoners on benefits, it’s a genuine opportunity to explore one of the world’s most famous landmarks for less than the cost of a coffee.
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