Imagining Animals

Name: Imagining Animals
Start: 2026-08-19T11:00
End: 2026-08-31T16:00
Location: Tower of London

The Tower of London is going wild and wonderful with an unforgettable family experience

Skip the event ticket details and go to event summary.

When

19 - 31 August (excluding 25 August)

11:00-16:00

Ticketing information

This event is suitable for all ages. Please note, this programme is weather dependent. In the event of inclement weather, it may be changed or cancelled at short notice.

Included in palace admission (Members go free)

Buy Tower of London tickets

Visitor access and information.

A host of extraordinary creatures will transform the Tower this August - brought to life through puppetry, music, and movement.

Throughout your visit, you may stumble upon enchanting moments: a gentle bear ambling through the parade ground, butterflies fluttering by, a giant serpent slithering in and out of view amongst many others.

The perfect summer day out, this is the Tower of London as you’ve never seen it before.

Conceived by artists Mervyn Millar and Suzy Willson, and brought to life by a world-class company of puppeteers, dancers and musicians, Imagining Animals is inspired by animals from all over the world, including those that once lived at the Tower as part of the Royal Menagerie.

Illustrations by Significant Object.

Visitor access and information

There is no map, no timetable, so keep your eyes open and see what crosses your path, as you enjoy your Tower visit. Please respect the puppets and performers, and allow them a little space as they roam the site.

Performances are non-verbal and accompanied by music and sounds
They are family friendly and suitable for all ages
Performances will take place throughout the day at various times and locations around the Tower
In the event of inclement weather, performances may be changed or cancelled at short notice

Alongside this striking experience, you can also take in everything else the Tower of London has to offer.

How do I get to the Tower of London?

The Tower is located within easy walking distance of London Underground and national train stations including:

5 mins from Tower Hill Underground station – served by the District and Circle lines and step free access to street level.
10-15 mins from Monument, Bank, Aldgate, Aldgate East London Underground stations
10-15 mins from London Bridge and Fenchurch Street stations
20 min from Liverpool Street station
25 mins from London Charing Cross station

See our Getting here page

Accessible travel

Tower Hill (Underground), Bank, (Underground) London Bridge, London Fenchurch Street and Tower Gateway (DLR) stations are fitted with lifts to street level.

Access at the Tower of London

We aim to make the Tower of London accessible to all visitors. It is a historic site and building with difficult stairs, passageways and spiral staircases. There are many steps with cobbles laid in some of the surfaces and pathways and some low doorways. Wheelchair access is limited.

See our Accessibility page to find out more about the following:

Accessible travel
Accessible toilets/Changing Places toilet
Quiet times
Access for visitors with limited mobility
Deaf/hard of hearing visitors
Blind or partially sighted visitors
Lighting and sound

Accessibility

*Image: An elephant which was gifted to Henry VIII from King Louis IX of France in 1255. It was part of the Tower Menagerie. © From the British Library archive*

Such a noble collection of wild creatures as is nowhere else to be seen in Great Britain.

Tower guidebook, c.18th century

Public events programme

In September, a vibrant programme of talks, workshops and events will support Imagining Animals, bringing its themes to life beyond the Tower walls. Created with local partners, it connects the Tower of London with East London through shared stories, ideas and creativity.

The public events programme explores animals in the human imagination, empire and power, and our changing relationship with the natural world. Open to all, with some adult-only themed events, the programme features both free and ticketed activities.

More information about this programme will be listed here.