The Tower of London
A thousand years of royal history in stone - the fortress, palace and prison beside the Thames that guards the Crown Jewels, watched over by Beefeaters and ravens, a UNESCO site.
Updated 18 October 2026
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UNESCO World Heritage
The Tower of London is a thousand-year-old fortress beside the Thames that has served as royal palace, armoury, treasury and infamous prison, and remains one of the most storied buildings in the world. A UNESCO site, its White Tower rises at the centre, the dazzling Crown Jewels are guarded within, red-coated Yeoman Warders, or Beefeaters, tell its bloody tales, and the resident ravens keep an ancient legend alive.
History
After his victory at Hastings on 14 October 1066, William the Conqueror isolated London until its leaders gave up the city without a fight in December, and he founded a castle here at the end of that year, one of the 36 he built between 1066 and 1087. The White Tower, which gives the castle its name, was built in 1078 and was at first a resented symbol of Norman rule; the Tower grew in phases, mainly under Richard I, Henry III and Edward I in the 12th and 13th centuries, into a complex within two rings of walls and a moat. It was a royal residence early in its history, was besieged several times, as holding it mattered for holding the country, and has served as palace, armoury, treasury and prison (Wikipedia, Tower of London).
What you'll find
- The Crown Jewels - the dazzling royal regalia in the Jewel House.
- The White Tower - the great Norman keep at the heart of the fortress.
- The Beefeaters and ravens - the Yeoman Warders and the legendary ravens.
- Tower Green - the site of the scaffold where queens were executed.
When to go
Year-round; a mostly outdoor-and-indoor mix, so dress for weather. Book a timed ticket ahead and go early, as it is one of London's most popular sights and the Crown Jewels queue builds through the day.
Before you go
It is one of London's most visited and priciest sights, so book ahead and go early; the Crown Jewels queue can be very long by midday. It is large, needing several hours. A Beefeater tour, included with entry, brings the history alive far better than wandering alone.
Nearby
Tower Bridge is alongside; the City of London and St Paul's are a short walk.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q62378, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for The Tower of London
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
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