Tower of London
Tower of London · London (north bank of the Thames), UK
William the Conqueror's White Tower: royal palace, prison, armoury and Crown Jewels, all in one castle.
Know before you go
- Don't take photos in the Jewel House
- don't feed or approach the Tower's ravens
- don't climb the walls or cannons
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
The Conqueror's White Tower
The Tower of London was founded at the end of 1066, during the Norman Conquest. The White Tower, which gives the castle its name, is generally thought to have been begun by William the Conqueror around 1078, at first a hated symbol of oppression for Londoners. From the early 14th century to the time of Charles II in the 17th, English monarchs usually spent a few nights in the Tower before their coronation, then processed from here to Westminster Abbey.
Source: Wikipedia: Tower of London
History
'Sent to the Tower'
The 16th and 17th centuries were the Tower's heyday as a prison, and in English being 'sent to the Tower' became a byword for falling from favour; even Elizabeth I was held here before she came to the throne. In 1536 Queen Anne Boleyn was taken to the Tower, tried for treason and beheaded, and buried in the Tower's Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula. However, the Tower's reputation as a 'place of torture and death' owes much to 16th-century religious propaganda and 19th-century writers: before the two World Wars of the 20th century, only seven people were executed within the Tower.
Legend
If the ravens leave, the kingdom will fall
At least six ravens are kept at the Tower of London. Legend says that 'if the ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it', and local lore traces the ravens back to the reign of Charles II. But some scholars, including the Tower's official historian, believe the legend is probably a Victorian invention: the earliest known reference to ravens kept at the Tower is an illustration from 1883.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The Tower of London dates from the Norman Conquest of 1066; the White Tower that gives the castle its name was built by William the Conqueror around 1078, at first a hated symbol of oppression for Londoners. It has since served as royal palace, armoury, treasury, menagerie, Royal Mint and record office, and still holds the Crown Jewels. It was most famous as a prison in the 16th and 17th centuries — even Elizabeth I was held here before she came to the throne; Anne Boleyn was executed in 1536 and buried in the Tower's Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula.
Local customs
- Uniformed Yeoman Warders ('Beefeaters') guide and guard the Tower
- photography is banned in the Jewel House
Religion & beliefs
The Tower has a royal chapel, St Peter ad Vincula.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
London Underground: tap in and tap out
- Tap your Oyster card or bank card on the yellow reader both on entry and exit, even if the gates are open
- At interchange stations with mid-route readers, tap as instructed
- Tapping in but not out, or not tapping before boarding
If you miss a tap you are charged the maximum fare; if an inspector finds you travelling without tapping, you may be fined or prosecuted.
Not yet verifiedSource: Wikipedia: Oyster card
Don’t DON'T
- Don't take photos in the Jewel House
- don't feed or approach the Tower's ravens
- don't climb the walls or cannons
Locals appreciate DO
Locals appreciate visitors who join the Yeoman Warders' tours for the stories and respect the Jewel House rules.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | At opening time |
|---|---|
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
Travel tips
- Tickets are required, so buy them online in advance
- go to the Jewel House first at opening time for a shorter queue
- combine with Tower Bridge
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