Few places on earth pack as much drama into one set of stone walls as the Tower of London. For nearly a thousand years it has been a fortress, a royal palace, a treasure house, and a notorious prison — and all that history is still standing on the north bank of the Thames. If you only pay to enter one attraction in London, make it this one.
Nearly a Thousand Years of History
The Tower was begun by William the Conqueror not long after 1066, and its oldest part, the White Tower, still rises at its center. Over the centuries it has held kings and traitors, armouries and a royal mint, even a menagerie of exotic animals. It is most infamous, though, as a prison and place of execution — queens, nobles, and spies met their end within these walls, and you can still feel the weight of those stories as you walk the grounds.
The Crown Jewels
The Tower’s star attraction is the Crown Jewels — yes, the real ones, still used in royal ceremonies today. Behind layers of security you’ll glide past dazzling crowns, sceptres, and orbs set with some of the largest cut diamonds in the world. The display is breathtaking, and it is exactly the kind of glittering spectacle you can’t see anywhere else. The queue for the jewels grows long by midday, so head straight there when the Tower opens.
The Ravens and Their Legend
Keep an eye out for the Tower’s most famous residents: the ravens. Legend holds that if the ravens ever leave the Tower, the kingdom will fall — so a small group is kept here and lovingly cared for by a dedicated Ravenmaster. Glossy, intelligent, and surprisingly large, they strut the grounds like they own the place, and spotting them is a highlight for many visitors.
Meet the Beefeaters
The Tower is guarded by the Yeoman Warders, better known as “Beefeaters,” in their distinctive dark-and-red uniforms. Far from mere decoration, they actually live within the Tower walls, and their free guided tours — full of grisly tales, dark humor, and centuries of legend — are genuinely one of the best parts of a visit. Catch one as soon as you arrive; they set off regularly from near the entrance.
Planning Your Visit
The nearest Underground station is Tower Hill, just a short walk away, and the Tower sits right beside Tower Bridge, so the two pair perfectly in one outing. Buy tickets online in advance to save money and skip a queue, arrive at opening to beat the crowds to the Crown Jewels, and allow at least two to three hours — there is far more to see than people expect. Comfortable shoes help, as the cobbles and towers involve plenty of walking and a few steep, narrow staircases.
More London guides: explore the full London Travel Guides series.
