North of the Tower, Hung, Drawn & Quartered serves pub classics by Tower Hill; at St Katharine Docks, Dickens Inn adds a timber-framed warehouse and marina views.

Which pub should you choose after visiting the Tower of London?

The Tower of London is not a castle from just one era: it began as a Norman fortress, served as a royal palace and prison, housed the Royal Mint and an arsenal, and still safeguards the Crown Jewels. Historic Royal Palaces suggests allowing at least two hours for a visit. After leaving, Tower Hill pubs are a practical place to recover without going far from the river. Two venues suit different plans: The Hung, Drawn & Quartered is on Great Tower Street beside the entrance; The Dickens Inn stands at St Katharine Docks, by Tower Bridge and a short walk along the river.

Hung, Drawn & Quartered serves British pub food: filled pies, fish and chips, sausage and mash, and cask ales. The kitchen closes before the bar, especially on Sunday, so check food-service times rather than opening hours alone. Dickens Inn divides the experience between the informal Tavern and Poplars restaurant, with balconies overlooking boats and the bridge; its menu includes British classics and breakfast on certain days. A meal here can become a scenic pause, although it takes a little more walking and requires choosing between two different spaces.

History also sets the venues apart. Hung, Drawn & Quartered takes its name from punishments associated with treason, but today it is a contemporary Fuller’s pub, direct and functional after the fortress. Dickens Inn makes use of a historic timber warehouse, moved about 70 metres and opened as a pub in 1976; its old appearance is part of the appeal, but it is not an original medieval tavern. Visitors often praise the atmosphere and location at both places; reviews also mention uneven service, waits or inconsistent food, particularly when crowds build.

For a seat soon after leaving the Tower, choose Hung, Drawn & Quartered and book if you are visiting at lunchtime. To walk among the boats, see Tower Bridge and extend the afternoon, Dickens Inn offers the stronger setting, at the cost of a longer walk and mixed service feedback. Check kitchen times, which end before pub closing, and decide whether you want to book the Tavern or Poplars. The order of the day matters: visit the Tower first and eat afterwards, but do not assume you can get a late meal without checking the last food service.

Bottom line

Hung, Drawn & Quartered wins for proximity and pub classics; Dickens Inn stands out for St Katharine Docks and Tower Bridge views.

Editorial selection

Options to compare

These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.

Traditional British pub in Tower Hill

The Hung, Drawn & Quartered

26–27 Great Tower Street, London EC3R 5AQ, Reino Unido

4.4 /5 2,877 reviews

Leaving the Tower of London towards Great Tower Street, The Hung, Drawn & Quartered makes a direct transition from the medieval fortress to the City’s financial district. Its name refers to punishments for high treason—a deliberately dark nod to the Tower’s nearby past—but the venue operates as a co

Why it made the selection

British pies, fish and chips and cask ales near the Tower

Hours: Monday–Saturday 12:00–23:00; Sunday until 18:00. Food is served until 21:00 Monday–Saturday and until 17:00 Sunday, according to the official website. Verified: October 11, 2026

View Maskay profile → Official website ↗

Historic pub at St Katharine Docks

The Dickens Inn

Marble Quay, St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1UH, Reino Unido

4.2 /5 9,617 reviews

The Tower of London holds almost a thousand years of power in one place: it began as a Norman fortress, served as a royal palace and prison, and now houses the Crown Jewels, ravens and Yeoman Warders. After walking its courtyards and walls, where to eat depends on the mood. The Dickens Inn is not in

Why it made the selection

British pub food, terrace and views across the marina towards Tower Bridge

Hours: Monday and Tuesday 12:00–22:00; Wednesday–Friday until 23:00; Saturday 11:00–23:30; Sunday until 22:00, according to the official website. Verified: October 11, 2026

View Maskay profile → Official website ↗

Verification

Sources & references

Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.

Official website of The Hung, Drawn & Quartered ↗ Primary source The Hung, Drawn & Quartered · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of The Hung, Drawn & Quartered ↗ Primary source Historic Royal Palaces · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of The Hung, Drawn & Quartered ↗ Primary source All Hallows-by-the-Tower · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of The Dickens Inn ↗ Primary source The Dickens Inn · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of The Dickens Inn ↗ Primary source CAMRA, East London & City Branch · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of The Dickens Inn ↗ Primary source Historic Royal Palaces · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of The Dickens Inn ↗ Primary source Historic Royal Palaces · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website ↗ Primary source Historic Royal Palaces · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website ↗ Primary source Historic Royal Palaces · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website ↗ Primary source Fuller’s · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website ↗ Primary source The Dickens Inn · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website ↗ Primary source CAMRA, East London & City Branch · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Opiniones de The Hung, Drawn & Quartered, 26–27 Great Tower Street ↗ Secondary source Restaurant Guru, datos de Google · Accessed October 11, 2026
La sede muestra 4,4/5 en 2.877 opiniones; temas consultados el 11/10/2026: pies, ales, ubicación, afluencia y consistencia del servicio.
Opiniones de The Dickens Inn, St Katharine Docks ↗ Secondary source Restaurant Guru, datos de Google · Accessed October 11, 2026
La sede muestra 4,2/5 en 9.617 opiniones; se sintetizan comentarios de ambiente y vistas junto a críticas de servicio consultados el 11/10/2026.
Opiniones de los dos pubs junto a la Torre ↗ Secondary source Restaurant Guru, datos de Google de sedes exactas · Accessed October 11, 2026
Consultadas el 11/10/2026: Hung, Drawn & Quartered 4,4/5 (2.877); Dickens Inn 4,2/5 (9.617).