This is an incredible opportunity to explore London’s iconic castle and World Heritage Site. In this guide we are going to explain how to get up close to the Crown Jewels in the year of the Platinum Jubilee.
There are different tours and tickets that you can buy to visit the Crown Jewels depending on the websites that you visit. But the regular ticket to visit Tower of London includes the Crown Jewels and that’s the one we recommend in this article as it is an “skip the line” ticket and costs the same than the regular ticket.
The highlights of the visit to Tower of London and the Crown Jewels are the ravens, the public outside areas of the Tower of London, the White Tower, including Line of Kings, Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula, Bloody Tower, Medieval Palace, Torture at the Tower exhibition, Fusiliers Museum and the Royal Mint exhibition. Remember that the Yeoman Warder guided tours are also available on a daily basis.
Ticket prices to visit the Crown Jewels
If you are going to visit different attractions while visiting London remember that the visit to Tower of London and the Crown Jewels are included in the London Pass and we have got a 10% discount code for you. You can find out more by visiting our article here: London Pass.
- Members: Free
- Adult: £29.90
- Child: £14.90
If you would like to buy a “skip the line” ticket that includes both, Tower of London + the Crown Jewels, then this is the best option:
Crown Jewels: Opening Times
Summer (1st March 2022 to 30th October 2022)
- Mondays and Sundays: 10.00-17.30. Last admission: 16.30.
Tuesday – Saturday: 09.00-17.30. Last admission: 16.30. - Monday 2 May: 09.00-17.30. Last admission: 16.30.
- Monday 30 May: 09.00-17.30. Last admission: 16.30.
- Last Yeoman Warder guided tour: 15.30
Public Viewing Path opening times (entry to path by ticket only)
- The path is open daily from 09:00 – 22:30.
- The first timeslot is 09:00 to 09:15.
- The last timeslot is 21:45 to 22:00.
Winter (1st November 2022 to 28th February 2022)
- Not confirmed yet.
Getting to the Tower of London & Crown Jewels
The Tower of London, London EC3N 4AB, (see on Google Maps) is located within easy walking distance of several mainline stations including:
- 10-15 mins walk from London Bridge Station
- 20 min walk from Liverpool Street Station
- 25 min walk from London Charing Cross Station
You can also travel by river boat. Tower Pier is served by river boats travelling from various piers including Westminster and London Eye and is located next to the Tower entrance.
Visiting the Crown Jewels & Tower of London
To give you an idea, the last time that we visited Tower of London and the Crown Jewels it took us around 3 hours and 30 min to visit everything. It was a day that it wasn’t too busy but we had our little ones with us so we walked slowly… 🙂
The Crown Jewels are located in the building known as “Jewel House” (did you expect a different name?) built in 1994 on the specially restored ground floor of the Waterloo Block of the Tower of London, near the center of the Tower, next to the Chapel of St. Peter Ad Vincula Royal. See Tower of London Map.
During your visit you will spend most of the time visiting the Tower of London and the different buildings around as visiting the Crown Jewels doesn’t take more than 20 mins approx. if it’s not too busy.
Once inside, the display is organised to follow the same order in which the jewels are used in the coronation ceremony. A slow-moving conveyor mechanism around the Jewels prevent overcrowding in front of the display cases containing the precious masterpieces. (Yes, they got tired of asking people to “keep moving, please!”).
When is the best time to visit the Crown Jewels?
Well depends on the moment of the year that you want to visit it. If you are visiting Tower of London during Easter, Summer or Christmas… then it’s better if you arrive early, around 20 mins before they open and you go directly to the Crown Jewels building before visiting all the other parts of Tower of London.
If you can, avoid weekends as it gets busier than during weekdays.
The Crown Jewels: A magnificent world-famous collection of 23,578 gemstones
The Crown Jewels, part of the Royal Collection, are the most powerful symbols of the British Monarchy and hold deep religious and cultural significance in our nation’s history. The mystique and beauty of the diamonds and precious jewels in the royal regalia have always held an unparalleled allure to visitors from across the globe.
From February 2020, HRH The Prince of Wales’s Investiture Coronet is on display in the Jewel House for the first time. The coronet, part of the Royal Collection, has joined the coronets of two other Princes of Wales.
For the investiture as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle on 1 July 1969, Prince Charles wore the contemporary coronet designed by architect and goldsmith Louis Osman. The coronet is made of gold and platinum and set with diamonds and emeralds with a purple velvet and ermine cap of estate.
Alongside the coronet, the rod used in the 1969 investiture, previously made for the 1911 investiture, is also on display.
You’ll find the Crown Jewels under armed guard in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. These gems are a unique working collection of royal regalia and are still regularly used by The Queen for important national ceremonies, such as the State Opening of Parliament. Make sure to look out for the ‘in use’ signs.
Coronation ceremonies have taken place in Westminster Abbey sin the year 1066, the great church founded by Edward the Confessor. The displays examine how the royal regalia are used during the ceremony and explore the symbolism of each object. The Crown Jewels were destroyed at the Tower after the Civil War and remade for Charles II’s coronation in 1661. They signify the royal authority to lead and protect the nation. (Source: Royal Collection Trust Home – https://www.rct.uk/ )
Tower of London Superbloom 2022
From 1st June 2022 to 18th September 2022
One of the most important events during this Platinum Jubilee year is the “Superbloom” at the Tower of London. This immersive floral spectacular will see visitors enter the medieval moat and be transported through a field of blooms. Walk around the famous fortress in celebration of HM The Queen’s 70 years on the throne.
From the 1st June 2022 and running until mid-September, you will be able to experience over 20 million seeds erupting into a an explosion of colour. Wander along weaving paths among the flowers enjoying a specially commissioned soundscape, with sculptural elements to make you feel at home amidst the bees and butterflies.