Sitting on the edge of London’s financial district, modernity and history come together in Tower Hill. The area is most famous for landmarks, including one of London’s most ancient buildings: The Tower of London. Visit for a tour through the city’s grisly past. Nearby Tower Bridge (not to be confused with London Bridge) is a marvel of design, architecture and engineering that’s long been an iconic part of London’s landscape. The bridge regularly opens up to allow ships to pass–you can even go inside to see the whirring machinery for yourself. You can also cruise under the bridge on a boat tour.
On the other side of the river sits More London, home to City Hall, alongside the HMS Belfast, which are both open for public visits. There are frequent free events on at The Scoop—also part of More London. These include film screenings, festivals and even exercise classes.
Further down from the tourist spots and riverside restaurants is Wilton’s Music Hall, the world’s oldest surviving music hall. It’s open for tours, dance classes, and plenty of music and theatrical performances. The area is also home to St Katherine’s Dock, which is great for summertime walks and eating outdoors.
The area is also home to St Katherine’s Dock, which is well-known for summertime walks and outdoor dining—as well as the beautiful 18th Century The Dickens Inn. More recent developments in the area include The Bridge Theatre, which hosts contemporary plays as well as occasional classics, with lower-priced tickets available for £15.00.
What to eat and drink in Tower Hill
Around the station and riverside you’ll mostly see chain restaurants like Zizi, Wagamama and Pizza Express, which are good for quick and cheap dinner and have veggie/vegan/gluten-free options.
If you’re on the hunt for something more independent, St Katherine’s dock is the place to be. There’s Asian-style tapas at Dokke, hearty Turkish food at Kilikya and fresh pasta made on-site at Emilia’s Pasta. Kerb street food market is also a regular feature—check out our guide to London street food for more information.
For drinking dens with riverside views, head to Coppa Club which has winter igloos and summer pergolas, so you’re covered whatever the weather. If you fancy a spot of terrace tippling or subterranean sipping, head to The Vault bar under Tower Bridge. Here you can enjoy pizza along with cocktails, wine and beer in the space that once stored coal for the bridge’s steam engines.
Where to stay in Tower Hill
Most hotels are around £80.00–£100.00 for two guests in Tower Hill. For such a central location, that’s pretty decent value. That makes this a good spot whether you’re here for sightseeing or business. The Tower Hotel, CitizenM Tower of London and Leonardo Royal Tower Bridge are all within walking distance of the tube.
