Tower of London

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The Tower of London is often identified with the White Tower, the original stark square fortress built by William the Conqueror in 1078.

The Tower served as a fortress, a royal palace and a prison (particularly for high status and royal prisoners, such as the Princes in the Tower and Queen Elizabeth I). This last use has led to the phrase "sent to the Tower" (meaning imprisoned). It has also served as a place of execution and torture, an armoury, a treasury, a zoo, the Royal Mint, a public records office, an observatory, and since 1303, the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.

Highlights of your visit will include:

Traitors' Gate where prisoners accused of treason are supposed to have passed through, including Queen Elizabeth I.

Join one of the famous Yeoman Warder tours and hear exciting tales from the Tower’s past.

Visit the Crown Jewels, one of the unmissable highlights of a visit to the Tower of London.

Visit the White Tower built by William the Conqueror, which today houses displays from the Royal Armouries’ collection.

Experience the history of the Tower through live costumed re-enactments on the South Lawn.

Explore the story of how the Tower was attacked and defended in our interactive Fortress displays

See the famous ravens next to the White Tower.

The towers ravens:

At least six Ravens are kept at the Tower, at all times, in accordance with the belief that if they be absent the kingdom will fall. To be on the safe side ten ravens (6 on duty and 4 young spares) are actually housed at the Tower of London. A Yeoman Warder, or Beefeater, has the specific role of Ravenmaster at the Tower and takes care of their feeding and well being. The Ravenmaster builds this relationship with the ravens as he takes the fledglings into his home and hand rears them over a period of about six weeks.

Opening Hours:

Open all Year. Summer: 1 March - 31 October: Tues - Sat 09.00-18.00 / Sun - Mon 10.00-18.00. Last admission 17.00. Winter: 1 November - 28 February: Tues - Sat 09.00-17.00 / Sun - Mon 10.00-17.00. Last admission 16.00.

The Tower is closed 24-26 December (inclusive) and 1 January.

We recommend visitors allow at least 2-3 hours to see everything. 

At busy times, queues are likely to form within the Tower.  If visiting during school holidays or in the summer, please allow more time to fully explore the Tower.

Enjoy lunch in the New Armouries Restaurant.