Accessibility at the Tower of London
We welcome all visitors to the Tower of London and aim to make your day out successful and enjoyable. We are committed to improving access and facilities for visitors with disabilities.
The Tower of London is a historic building with difficult stairs and passageways — including spiral staircases — and wheelchair access is limited. There are many steps throughout the Tower with cobbles laid in some of the surfaces and pathways. There are some low doorways.
On your way around the Tower, you will meet our staff and volunteers who will be happy to help support your visit or answer any questions.
Contact Us
If you have any questions on accessing the Tower of London that is not covered here, please contact [email protected]. We aim to respond within 10 days.
Alternatively, call us on 0333 320 6000 (lines open Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 14:00).
Access Guide
Our full colour and comprehensive access guide includes detailed information, help and advice to help you plan your visit to the Tower of London. For those with mobility requirements and wheelchair users, there is a colour map detailing routes and other useful information.
Concessions and carer tickets
You can bring an accompanying carer free of charge. These complimentary adult carer tickets can be obtained on the day of your visit upon presentation of proof of registered disability. Adult carer/companion tickets are also available to book online.
Only one carer ticket can be added per booking. If your party requires more than one carer ticket, please book your paid tickets online and email [email protected] with your booking reference number and all proof of need. We will be happy to reserve the additional carer tickets for your party at no extra cost.
Quiet Times
The quietest time to visit the Tower is before 11:00. Your visit may take up to two to three hours, so we recommend visiting as early as possible for the best experience.
The peak visiting period is Easter to October. Dates of school holidays, when the Tower is busier than usual, can be found on our Tower Opening Times page.
Tower Wharf, including the entrance to the Tower of London, is very busy during Gun Salutes. About 45 minutes beforehand, the Wharf is closed and all visitors move to the area in front of the Tower shop. This is a small area and can become crowded.
TOILETS
Toilets are available at the following locations:
- Brick Tower, behind the Jewel House (male, female, accessible toilets and baby changing facilities)
- Salt Tower (male toilets)
- Cradle Tower (female and accessible toilets)
Changing Places toilet
A Changing Places toilet is available on the ground floor lobby of the New Armouries building, next to the café.
Access to the toilet is via radar key, which can be obtained from café staff, to be returned after use.
Seating
Outdoor bench seating with back rests and arm rests is available in the following locations:
- Tower Green
- Outside the White Tower, opposite the New Armouries Café
Indoor seating is available in the New Armouries Café.
Deaf or hard of hearing visitors
Induction Loops
Induction loops are available throughout the Tower in the following locations:
- Ticket boxes
- All shops
Switch your hearing aid to the 'T' setting to activate.
British Sign Language Digital Visitor Guide
A British Sign Language Digital Visitor Guide is available, telling fascinating stories about the Tower of London. The tour is self-led and is included in Tower admission for British Sign Language users.
For more information on the guide and where to pick it up, visit our British Sign Language Digital Visitor Guide page.
British Sign Language Tours of the Tower
We use a trained British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter who will guide you around on a tour. Tours are available to book. For more information about the tour, available tour dates and how to book, please visit our British Sign Language tours page.
Captions and Subtitles
The video in the Medieval Palace includes subtitles.
BLIND OR PARTIALLY SIGHTED VISITORS
Descriptive Tours
For information on Jewel House and White Tower descriptive sessions and how to book, visit our Descriptive Sessions page.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer our audio guide tours for blind and partially sighted visitors at this time.
Braille Displays
There are Braille displays in the following locations:
- Crown Jewels exhibition (Jewel House)
- Coins and Kings exhibition
Tactile Objects
There are tactile raised 2D images of the Crown Jewels in the Jewel House.
Large Print Guides
There are large print guides available in the Coins and Kings exhibition.
Visitors with limited mobility
Whilst we strive to make the Tower accessible to all visitors, this historic building features difficult stairs; a number of low doorways; cobbled and uneven ground; and passageways where wheelchair access is restricted.
Level Access
The Jewel House, which houses the Crown Jewels, has level access. There is a moving walkway (‘travelator’) alongside the Crown Jewels. Our Palace Hosts will be happy to stop the travelator.
Mobility Aids
A wheelchair is available free of charge. These cannot be pre-booked and are issued on a first-come first-served basis. It can be obtained by speaking to a member of staff on entry.
Lifts and Ramps
There is a lift in the White Tower, which will take you to and from the shop in the basement. This is on the north side of the White Tower, opposite the entrance to the Crown Jewels. For safety reasons, we can only permit one wheelchair user in the basement at a time. Please ask a member of staff in the area for assistance.
There is a platform lift at the end of the moving walkway in the Crown Jewels exhibition, which allows you to access the raised platform to spend more time viewing the Crown Jewels. It is not suitable for mobility scooters. Please ask a member of the Jewel House team to use the lift.
Ramps can be found in the following places:
- The New Armouries Café
- Near the Raven shop
There is no lift or ramp access to the Battlements, Bloody Tower and Imprisonment at the Tower exhibitions.
Hidden disabilities
Anyone with a hidden disability has the option to collect a wristband from our ticket office or the entrance to the Tower. This will discreetly notify staff that you may need extra help, time, or assistance whilst at the Tower. If you have any specific needs, please do let a staff member know so that we can help make your visit as enjoyable as possible.
Guide Dogs Welcome
Trained assistance dogs are welcome inside the Tower. This includes medical alert dogs. We are happy to provide water on request.
Unfortunately, due to conservation concern and the nature of items on display, we do not allow emotional support animals to enter the palace at this time.
Re-entry to Site
For security reasons, re-entry to site is not allowed after you have exited.
Lighting and Sound
Low Light Levels
For conservation reasons, many parts of the Tower, including the Crown Jewels exhibition in the Jewel House, Battlements, Bloody Tower and Torture at the Tower, have low level lighting. Visiting these spaces may involve going from bright outdoor spaces to dark rooms.
Sound Effects and Loud Noises
There are sound effects in the following areas:
- Crown Jewels exhibition (Jewel House)
- Armoury in Action (White Tower, second floor)
- St John the Evangelist Chapel (White Tower)
- Bloody Tower
- Medieval Palace
- Mint Street
Gun Salutes, which include very loud cannon fire, take place on selected dates on Tower Wharf, outside the Tower of London. The noise can be heard from within the Tower buildings and lasts a few minutes. Please check our Gun Salute dates before your visit.
Fire alarms are not tested during opening hours.
Tower Autism Guide
View our guide for parents/carers of children and people on the autistic spectrum and related conditions for more information for your visit. This has been compiled with help from the National Autistic Society and our Access Panel at the Tower of London.
ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL
Underground, Overground and DLR
Tower Hill (Underground), London Bridge (Overground) and Tower Gateway (DLR) stations are fitted with lifts to street level.
Riverboat
The majority of riverboats now have dedicated wheelchair spaces.
Transport for London accessibility guideAccessible Car Parking
Blue Badge parking bays can be found nearby in Tower Hill Coach and Car Park.
An interactive map, produced by the City of London, shows Blue Badge parking bays in the local area.
Drop-off points for coaches or taxis can be found on Lower Thames Street, a two-minute walk from the Tower.
Map of Blue Badge parking bays
Book £1 tickets
For those on Universal Credit and other named benefits
Claim £1 tickets to the Tower of London for up to six people per household.
EXPLORE OUR ACCESS TOURS
- Tours and talks
British Sign Language digital visitor guide
For deaf or hard of hearing visitors, discover more about the Tower's history with the British Sign Language self-led digital visitor guide. Included in admission.
- Available
- Tower of London
- Included in palace admission (members go free)
- Tours and talks
Descriptive sessions
For visually impaired and blind visitors, join one of our knowledgeable 'vocal eyes trained' wardens on a fascinating descriptive tour of the Jewel House and White Tower. Booking in advance required.
- On request
- Tower of London
- Free with palace ticket (advance booking required)
- Tours and talks
British Sign Language tours
Tour the Tower of London with a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter at no additional cost. Advance booking advised.
- January - March
- Tower of London
- Included in palace admission (members go free)