Last updated: 29 July 2023
Is 2022 the year you discover Christmas at the Tower of London?
This festive season the 1,000-year-old palace has been transformed into a winter wonderland suitable for singles, couples, and for the whole family.
Set to the Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas, a dozen carefully chosen festive installations have been erected throughout the Tower, all based on different aspects of the fortress’s rich past, and feature some of its most famous residents.
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What installations can I see at the Tower of London this Christmas?
Each installation has a connection to the Tower in one way or another. From the famous resident Ravens, to the crowns and jewels which draw thousands of visitors every year, to the Queens that have called the Tower home, I suggest you make a whole day of visiting the Tower.
Best to wrap up in your warm woollies and wander around London’s iconic castle at this special time of year.
As you stroll around the Tower, test your knowledge of heraldry with the ‘10 shining shields’ on the White Tower steps, or ‘12 Yeoman Warders’ who have protected the Tower since King Henry VIII’s reign.
Discover ‘the eighth Henry’ and his ‘6 Tudor wives’ as they pose near to the now lost royal apartments. Each of Henry’s wives is adorned with boughs of fir, twinkling lights and jewels befitting a Queen. They can be found on the South Lawn situated just beside the White Tower. Don’t forget to look up to see the four distinctive domed cupolas Henry had installed for his second wife. Which was whom?
The mnemonic device might help you recall the fate of each of Henry’s wives:
Divorced, beheaded, died
Divorced, beheaded, survived
Near the Byward Tower, visitors will find a treasure chest of ‘5 gold coins’, recalling the history of the Royal Mint within the Tower’s walls, which produced most of the coins of the realm until 1810.
As you enter, or exit, the Tower of London, keep an eye out on the Middle Tower lawn, where the ‘3 lordly lions’ are situated, in support of England’s World Cup campaign.
The full list of festive installations at the Tower of London are:
On the first day of Christmas the Tower shared with me… A polar bear swimming in the Thames
On the second day of Christmas the Tower shared with me… Two chapels royal
On the third day of Christmas the Tower shared with me… Three lordly lions
On the fourth day of Christmas the Tower shared with me… Four boozy barrels
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On the fifth day of Christmas the Tower shared with me… Five gold coins
On the sixth day of Christmas the Tower shared with me… Six Tudor wives
On the seventh day of Christmas the Tower shared with me… Seven sovereign crowns
On the eighth day of Christmas the Tower shared with me… The eighth Henry
On the ninth day of Christmas, the Tower shared with me… Nine rowdy ravens
On the tenth day of Christmas the Tower shared with me… Ten shining shields
On the eleventh day of Christmas the Tower shared with me… An eleventh century fortress
On the twelfth day of Christmas the Tower shared with me… Twelve Yeoman Warders
Do I need a separate ticket to explore Christmas at the Tower of London?
No, you don’t need an additional ticket.
Unlike Superbloom, the festive-season installations are included in your ticket price, but don’t forget to pick up a free Christmas at the Tower of London trail map and find all the song’s famous verses and the corresponding installations.
Buying tickets for the Tower of London
You can buy tickets from the Ticket Office outside the Tower of London, however if you buy your tickets online in advance you’ll save yourself the hassle of queuing.
Getting to the Tower of London
Travelling by Tube
The nearest Tube is Tower Hill, serviced by Circle & District line tubes.
Travelling by Bus
Many buses service the Tower of London.
Route 15 is a personal favourite, running from Blackwall to Charing Cross/Trafalgar Square, going past many iconic London landmarks including St Paul’s Cathedral, the Royal Courts of Justice, Aldwych and Australia’s High Commission (which doubled as Gringotts Wizarding Bank Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone), and down Strand past the famous Savoy hotel before terminating just neat Trafalgar Square.
Should you need help navigating the London transport system, we recommend using free apps City Mapper or Google Maps to help you navigate the options.
Travelling by Bicycle
Those using the Santander Cycle scheme, a docking station, Tower Gardens, is right beside the Tower. The cycle superhighway, CS3, is a segregated cycle route that runs straight past the Tower of London.
Tower of London Entry Times
The Tower of London is open every day, except for 24, 25, 26 December 2022 and 01 January 2023 when it is closed.
Christmas at the Tower of London is running now until 3 January 2023.
Hours of Operation
In winter, the Tower opens at either 9am or 10am depending on the day, and closes at 16:30.
Be aware that last admission is at 15:30, and the last Yeoman Warder guided tour (which is included in your ticket) departs at 14:30.
The Essentials
Christmas at the Tower of London
- 23 November 2022 – 3 January 2023
- Note the Tower is closed on 24, 25, 26 December 2022 and 01 January 2023.
- Christmas installations are included in admission: Adults £29.90 / Children (aged 5-15) £14.90 / Concessions £24 / HRP Members FREE
- Book your Tower tickets
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