8.4/10
Tower of London
From £36 · 3–4 hours
The Tower of London is one of the best things to do in London full stop. Arrive at opening (9am) to see the Crown Jewels first while queues are short, then join a free Beefeater tour.
Tower of London vs Windsor Castle: which is worth it?
Side-by-side verdict, prices and tips. We pick a winner — but both have a place if you have time.
The verdict
Winner: Windsor Castle
If you only have time for one, pick Windsor Castle. Yes, Windsor Castle is the best royal day out from London. Book the 10am entry, head straight for St George's Chapel before the coach groups arrive, and remember the castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tower of London is still worth it, just rank it below.
8.4/10
Winner
Windsor Castle
From £31 · 3–4 hours (+1 hour travel each way)
Yes, Windsor Castle is the best royal day out from London. Book the 10am entry, head straight for St George's Chapel before the coach groups arrive, and remember the castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Side-by-side
| Spec | Tower of London | Windsor Castle |
|---|---|---|
| TripScore | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 |
| Verdict | Worth it | Worth it |
| From | £36 | £31 |
| Value (score per £) | 0.23 | 0.27 |
| Time required | 3–4 hours | 3–4 hours (+1 hour travel each way) |
| Setting | Outdoor | Indoor |
| Best time today | 9am opening | 10am opening, Thu–Mon |
| Value for money | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| Experience | 9.0/10 | 8.8/10 |
| Crowds & wait | 6.0/10 | 6.6/10 |
Who should pick which?
Pick Tower of London if…
- ✓Crown Jewels alone are worth the ticket — second only to the British Museum for must-see London artefacts.
- ✓Free Beefeater (Yeoman Warder) tours included — entertaining and informative.
- ✓1,000 years of history in one site — White Tower, ravens, ramparts, prison cells.
- ✓Plenty of content — easily 3–4 hours of genuine sightseeing, not a tourist trap.
Pick Windsor Castle if…
- ✓The oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, still a working royal residence.
- ✓St George's Chapel, burial place of ten monarchs including Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth II.
- ✓Lavish State Apartments with works by Rembrandt, Rubens and Van Dyck.
- ✓Easy to reach: under an hour by train, with Windsor town on the doorstep.