Best Time to Visit the Tower of London
When are queues shortest? Which months have the best weather? A month-by-month guide to planning your Tower of London visit.
The Tower of London draws nearly 3 million visitors a year — making it the most-visited paid attraction in England — and the difference between a quiet, unhurried visit and a crowded one often comes down to when you go. This guide breaks down the best and worst times to visit, with practical advice on queues, weather, and how to get the most from a Tower of London guided tour.
Quick Reference: Month-by-Month Snapshot
| Month | Crowds | Weather | Queue Risk | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very low | Cold, short days | Low | Quiet gem — dress warmly |
| February | Very low | Cold | Low | Good value |
| March | Low–medium | Mild, unpredictable | Low–medium | Sweet spot begins |
| April | Medium–high | Mild | Medium | Easter school holidays spike |
| May | Medium–high | Pleasant | Medium | Good balance before summer |
| June | High | Warm | High | Summer peak begins |
| July | Very high | Warmest | Very high | Busiest month |
| August | Very high | Warm | Very high | School holidays, peak crowds |
| September | Medium | Mild, pleasant | Medium | Crowds ease — often best month |
| October | Low–medium | Cooler, changeable | Low–medium | Half-term spike mid-month |
| November | Low | Cold, grey | Low | Very quiet |
| December | Low–medium | Cold | Low–medium | Christmas week busy |
The Best Months: September, October, and February
September — The Sweet Spot
September is arguably the best single month to visit the Tower of London. The summer rush subsides after late August, but the weather often holds — mild temperatures and longer daylight hours make the outdoor portions of the tour comfortable. Crowds are noticeably thinner than in July and August, and while you should still book your ticket in advance, the queuing pressure at the gate eases significantly. For the guided tour’s Beefeater meet and greet, a less-crowded Tower also means a more personal atmosphere around Tower Green.
February — The Quiet Season at Its Best
February sits in the heart of the off-peak season and consistently offers some of the shortest queues of the year. The drawback is the weather — expect cold temperatures and the possibility of rain. The Beefeater tour portion is conducted partly outdoors, so pack layers. The reward: a genuinely unhurried visit where you can linger in the Jewel House without the tidal wave of July visitors.
October (first two weeks) — Autumn Calm Before Half-Term
Early October combines cooling autumn weather with relatively thin crowds — before the mid-October school half-term break sends numbers up for a week. If you’re visiting without children, the first two weeks of October offer a pleasant, less pressured experience.
The Worst Times: July, August, and Easter
July and August — Peak Crowds, Long Queues
These are the busiest months at the Tower by a considerable margin. Queues at the gate for general entry ticket holders can exceed an hour on busy days — one reason that prebooked, skip-the-queue entry (included in the guided tour) is particularly valuable in summer. Tour groups from across Europe and visiting school parties are at their peak.
If summer is your only option, book as early as possible and aim to arrive right at opening time.
Easter Week (late March / April)
Easter falls when London school holidays align with European spring break travel, creating a significant mid-season spike. The Tower can feel noticeably busier than the surrounding weeks. If you’re visiting at Easter, prebooked entry is essential.
What Time of Day to Arrive
Regardless of month, the Tower is busiest between 11:00 and 14:00. Arriving at or shortly after opening — when the doors open in the morning — gives you the best chance of a quieter Crown Jewels experience and more breathing room in the Jewel House. Late afternoon, in the last 90 minutes before closing, is also quieter, but you may feel rushed.
For the VIP Early Access tour ($203), entry is before the Tower opens to the public entirely — the only way to see the Crown Jewels and Tower Green without any crowd at all.
Weather and What to Wear
The Tower of London is a working fortress spread across an open site. Even in summer, a portion of the guided tour — including the Beefeater meet and greet on Tower Green — takes place outdoors. In autumn and winter, layers and a waterproof jacket are genuinely necessary.
The cobbled grounds and uneven stone surfaces mean comfortable, flat-soled shoes matter more than the weather itself — this is not a site for heels or thin-soled trainers.
Should You Book in Advance?
Yes — for any visit, but especially between April and August. The guided tour includes prebooked entry, so you bypass the ticket queue at the main gate. For general admission, last-minute tickets are usually available online but don’t eliminate the gate queue.
The Tower’s opening hours change between summer and winter seasons. Last admission is always one hour before closing. Check the latest schedule when you book, as hours are updated seasonally by Historic Royal Palaces.
The Takeaway
The best months to visit the Tower of London are September (the overall sweet spot), February (quietest queues, cold weather trade-off), and early October (pleasant autumn crowds before half-term). If you’re visiting in peak summer, prebooked entry through the guided tour is the most effective way to bypass the gate queue — and the 15-minute Beefeater meet and greet, only available on the guided package, is best experienced when the Tower isn’t at its noisiest.
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