Tower of London
Tower Hill, London · Last verified Oct 2026
A medieval fortress with cobbles, steps and spiral stairs: the Crown Jewels have level access, but the Battlements and the Bloody Tower have no lift or ramp.
The Tower of London is a historic fortress, and its operator is direct about what that means: difficult stairs, including spiral staircases, low doorways, many steps and cobbles laid into some of the surfaces and pathways. Wheelchair access is limited, so the useful question is which parts you can reach rather than whether the site as a whole is accessible.
The Jewel House has level access, and the moving walkway that runs alongside the Crown Jewels can be stopped by the Palace Hosts if you ask. A platform lift serves the entrance to the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula; a Yeoman Warder operates it, and no more than two wheelchair users can be in the chapel at once for fire safety reasons. In the White Tower, a lift on the north side takes visitors to and from the shop in the basement, with one wheelchair user allowed there at a time. Ramps are in place at the New Armouries Café and near the Raven shop.
The Battlements, the Bloody Tower and the Imprisonment at the Tower exhibition have neither lift nor ramp. As an alternative, two virtual tours give a 360-degree view of the Medieval Palace and of the Bloody and Beauchamp Towers, and they open on a phone from a QR code in the access guide. That guide, in full colour and with a route map for wheelchair users, can be downloaded before the visit.
Accessible toilets are at the Brick Tower, behind the Jewel House, and at the Cradle Tower. A Changing Places toilet is on the ground floor of the New Armouries building next to the café, opened with a radar key that the café staff hold. Tower Hill Underground and Tower Gateway DLR stations have lifts to street level, and taxis can set down on Lower Thames Street, a two-minute walk away.
What the measurements mean
There is an accessible toilet.
Surfaces are cobblestones — hard going for a manual chair and small castors.
The nearest step-free station is Tower Hill.
Sensory and communication support includes hearing loop, audio guide and braille signage.
A companion or carer is admitted free. Assistance animals are welcome. Seating and rest points are available along the route.
What to expect
- The Jewel House, where the Crown Jewels are kept, has level access, and staff will stop the moving walkway beside the jewels on request.
- There is no lift or ramp to the Battlements, the Bloody Tower or the Imprisonment at the Tower exhibition.
- One carer or companion enters free with each disabled visitor, and a wheelchair can be borrowed free of charge on arrival, first come, first served.
Getting there step-free
Full accessibility profile
Every attribute below is recorded against the same protocol, so figures are comparable between places. Values are marked Measured or Estimate, and the sources are listed above.Elevators & lifts
Accessible restroom
Surfaces & slopes
Getting there
Sensory & communication
Policies & assistance
Practical tips
- Outside the peak holiday season the Tower is quietest before 11:00; in school holidays mornings are the busiest time and the advice is to arrive after 13:30.
- Many interiors, the Crown Jewels exhibition included, are kept in low light, so expect to move from bright courtyards into dark rooms.
- Induction loops are fitted at the Ticket Office and in all shops. A British Sign Language digital guide is included in admission, and there is a self-led audio described tour.
- Re-entry is not allowed once you have left the site.
Practical facilities
Compiled from the venue’s own published accessibility information, not measured by us. Confirm anything critical before you travel.
- Wheelchair loan
- Free
- No booking needed
A wheelchair is available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be pre-booked; ask a member of staff on entry.
- Accessible toilets
- Count not published
- Changing Places facility
- Brick Tower, behind the Jewel House, and Cradle Tower.
The Changing Places toilet is in the ground floor lobby of the New Armouries building, next to the café, opened with a radar key held by the café staff.
- Assistance you can book
- No fixed notice period published
- Contact: visitorservices.tol@hrp.org.uk or 0333 320 6000 (Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 14:00)
A Yeoman Warder operates the platform lift at the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula, and staff in the area assist with the White Tower lift.
- Arrival & parking
- Drop-off: Coaches and taxis set down on Lower Thames Street, a two-minute walk from the Tower.
- Accessible parking: Blue Badge bays nearby in Tower Hill Coach and Car Park.
Tower Hill (Underground), London Bridge and Tower Gateway (DLR) stations are fitted with lifts to street level.
Sources: Historic Royal Palaces: Tower of London accessibility (retrieved October 2, 2026)
Tower of London: common accessibility questions
Is the Tower of London wheelchair accessible?
Only in part. The Jewel House with the Crown Jewels has level access, a platform lift serves the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula and ramps reach the New Armouries Café, but the ground is cobbled and uneven in places and there is no lift or ramp to the Battlements, the Bloody Tower or the Imprisonment at the Tower exhibition.
Do carers go free at the Tower of London?
Yes. Each disabled visitor can bring one carer or companion free of charge. One companion ticket can be added online per booking; further ones are arranged by email or at the Ticket Office with supporting documents.
Where are the accessible toilets at the Tower of London?
At the Brick Tower behind the Jewel House and at the Cradle Tower. A Changing Places toilet is in the ground floor lobby of the New Armouries building, next to the café; the café staff hand out the radar key.