Tower of London
Prison, Fortress, Royal Palace and Home of Crown Jewels
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| Beefeater at Tower of London |
Tower Of London Official Web Site
Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066-7 and enlarged and modified by successive sovereigns, today the Tower of London is one of the world's most famous and spectacular fortresses. In its time it has been a royal palace, a fortress, a prison, an armoury, a treasury and an astronomical observatory.
Some visitors who ask the question where can I find a Norman castle to explore forget that the Tower of London is one of the finest examples of a Norman castle, and its right on their doorstep in the centre of London.
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| Buckingham Palace |
| Kensington Palace |
| Tower of London |
| Hampton Court |
| Windsor Castle |
The major draws are the Crown Jewels and the history associated with the Tower's role as a prison for major figures in history, prior to for many a public hanging. The Beefeaters (guards) dressed in distinctive uniform and Ravens provide classic photo opportunities, the Beefeaters also perform tours.
Once in the Tower of London you can take advantage of a one hour guided tour by a costumed Beefeater. These run normally every half-hour throughout the day from soon after opening to mid/late afternoon and are highly recommended.
The Tower's greatest attraction the Crown Jewels are housed in the White Tower. You will normally have to wait in long lines to catch glimpses of the jewels. You will see some of the world's most precious jewels set into swords, robes, and of course crowns. The Imperial State Crown is still used today by the Queen of England for ceremonial occasions.
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Many of the rest of the main attractions are associated with the Tower's history with legendary figures imprisoned and/or executed here. The Tower Green at the heart of the Tower has the scaffolding where some private executions and hangings took place.
Three of them were queens of England: Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, wives of Henry VIII, and Lady Jane Grey - condemned on the orders of her cousin Mary I.
The gate exiting out directly to the river is known as 'Traitors' Gate' because of the number of prisoners accused of treason who are supposed to have passed through it.
The Bloody Tower was where some of the Tower's most famous prisoners were housed. It may have been the last lodging of the 'Princes in the Tower' before their mysterious disappearance in the 15th century, and is today furnished to look as it might have done during Sir Walter Ralegh's 13-year imprisonment here.
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Opening Times & Admission Prices
Opening times are seasonal. For the times appropriate to your visit click through on the link at the top of the page to the Tower of London official web site. You will also find the ticket prices here also.
Note, queues to obtain tickets at the Tower of London can be very long - especially during the morning.
Getting to the Tower of London
The easiest way by public transport is the London Underground to Tower Hill on the Circle and District Lines. This is opposite the Tower of London.
A more scenic option is to arrive by boat on the scheduled river services that stop in front of the Tower of London at Tower Pier.
The very popular hop on, hop off London tour buses of course also stop at, and cross over Tower Bridge stopping at the Tower of London. The hop on, hop off ticket also includes a river cruise.
So why not arrive by boat and depart by the hop on, hop off bus on the same ticket.
If you are not so tight with time, you can follow the Thames path from the southern end of Tower Bridge right down to Westminster and Big Ben on a pedestrianised walkway by the River Thames.
What To Do Around The Tower Of London - A Self Guided Walk Perhaps?
The Tower Of London is on the edge of the City of London, the original part of London that once had a city wall. This area is the main commercial area of London but is very interesting for visitors.
We have made available a free self guided walk, (outline map below) that makes a circuit of the best of the City of London including Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
See: City of London Self Guided Walk Pages
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