A Visit to the Tower of London, Done Differently
The Tower of London is a fascinating place to visit, with the castle at the centre of many of the capital’s most important historical moments. Make a day of it with Culture Trip’s guide on what to do, eat and drink around this London landmark.
Tower of London
Historical Landmark, Building, Memorial, Museum
Things to do near the Tower of London
Whitechapel Gallery
Art Gallery
Though not quite 900 years old, the Whitechapel Gallery has a good 100 years behind it. Founded in 1901, this contemporary art gallery (about 20 minutes on foot from the Tower of London) has premiered artists such as Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo and Mark Rothko. At any given time there are numerous exhibitions running in tandem, so you can easily kill a couple of hours here, and its Refectory Café, which turns into a wine bar at night, is a charming space to relax in after the show.
Wilton’s Music Hall
Cinema, Concert Hall, Music Venue, Theater, Theatre
Wilton’s Music Hall is recognised as a Grade II* listed building and has been called “the most important surviving early music hall to be seen anywhere”. It still retains many original features (with peeling paint and exposed brickwork to boot). About a 20-minute walk from the Tower of London, head to this Shadwell institution to delve deeper into London’s heritage, admire the historical architecture and catch a theatre performance.
30 St Mary Axe
Building, Bridge, Stadium
Where to eat and drink by the Tower of London
The Culpeper
Pub, Restaurant with Rooms, Bar, Restaurant, Pub Grub, Vegan, Vegetarian
Home to over 3,500 drinking haunts, it’s safe to say that London is the pub capital of the world. Situated on Commercial Street in Spitalfields, The Culpeper epitomises all that the city’s pub culture is about, with great food and great booze. It’s located close to the Whitechapel Gallery and even has a roof terrace where you can enjoy al fresco drinking in the summer.
Cirilo Noodle Bar and Grill
Restaurant, Bar, Philippine, Chinese
If you don’t fancy heavy pub food, try Cirilo Noodle Bar and Grill, which serves up authentic Filipino and Chinese stir-fry dishes that make for a tasty light bite. London’s Filipino community are known to frequent the restaurant, which is always a good sign, and you can’t go wrong with one of its specials – try the tamarind-based stew sinigang with prawns.
Gaucho Tower Bridge
Restaurant, Argentina
Places to stay near the Tower of London
Motel One Tower Hill
Budget Hotel
London is notoriously expensive, but it can be done on a budget. As a cheap alternative to boutique hotels, you can’t go wrong with Motel One Tower Hill. It aims to offer fair prices whatever dates you book, so whether it’s the height of summer or the middle of October, the room rates remain the same. The bar, with its marble-topped tables, smart leather sofas and low-lit wood burners, is first class and wouldn’t look out of place in one of London’s more upmarket hotels.
The LaLIT London
Boutique Hotel
If visiting the tower and seeing the Crown Jewels has given you a hankering for luxury, book in at The LaLIT London. The five-star boutique hotel, housed in a striking 120-year-old Neo-Baroque building that used to be a Victorian boys’ grammar school, offers a calm respite from the hustle and bustle – and even has its own tower suite. With its great location, sumptuous interior and complimentary minibar, this discreet hotel ticks all the boxes.
Qbic Hotel London City
Budget Hotel
Priding itself on its decent price point, Qbic Hotel London City is a well-designed, contemporary hotel that’s also a great choice for eco-friendly travel (it claims to be the capital’s greenest hotel). This hotel is all about bright, bold design, with rooms that feature quirky artworks and fun graphics. Located in the heart of Aldgate, just five minutes from Aldgate East station, it’s also easy to get to Central London from here.
Looking for more places to stay nearby? Book one of the best hotels near Tower Bridge and the Tower of London now through Culture Trip and soak up all of the history on your doorstep.
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meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
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I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
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