Tower of London
More fortress than museum, the Tower of London compresses a thousand years of power, fear and ceremony. William the Conqueror's White Tower (1078) anchored the capital, serving as palace, armoury and state prison. Today the Crown Jewels draw crowds, from the Imperial State Crown to the 530-carat Cullinan I. Yeoman Warders and resident ravens animate the site's rituals, while exhibitions unpick plots, sieges and royal scandal. Arrive early and see the Jewels first, join a Beefeater tour, and allow two to three hours. Only a few executions happened inside the walls; most were on Tower Hill, reminding visitors that justice once had an audience.
Opening Hours
What's not to miss inside?
Crown Jewels
Monarchy’s priceless ceremonial regaliaThe Imperial State Crown, with 2,868 diamonds, was worn by Queen Elizabeth II at her 1953 coronation and includes the Black Prince’s “Ruby” and Cullinan diamonds.
📍 Jewel House, Ground Floor
White Tower
Norman stronghold since 1078Built by William the Conqueror in 1078, this 27-metre stone keep housed armouries and royal lodgings and has anchored London’s defences for nearly 950 years.
📍 Central keep, Ground Floor
Ravens
Birds tied to royal survivalSince the 17th century, at least six ravens have been kept here, cared for by a Ravenmaster, amid a legend that the Crown will fall if they depart.
📍 Tower Green, Outdoor
Beefeaters
Guards since Tudor timesThe Yeoman Warders-nicknamed Beefeaters-have guarded the Tower since 1485. Today they lead tours mixing execution tales with everyday life inside the fortress.
📍 Throughout the Tower
Traitors’ Gate
Prisoners’ dreaded arrivalBuilt in 1279 as a water gate, it later received prisoners brought by barge from Westminster-among them Queen Anne Boleyn in 1536.
📍 Water entrance, Ground Floor
Inspire your Friends
- In 2023 the Tower of London recorded about 2.79 million visitors, among the UK’s most-visited sites.
- A polar bear, gifted in 1252 by Norway’s King Haakon, once fished from a leash in the Thames below the Tower.
- Only twenty-two executions took place inside the Tower over nine centuries; most happened on nearby Tower Hill.
- The Cullinan I diamond in the Sovereign’s Sceptre weighs 530.2 carats, the largest colourless cut diamond set in regalia.
- Today’s ravens have official status and a dedicated Ravenmaster who oversees their care and diets.
