The Tower of London has stood on the north bank of the Thames for nearly 1,000 years. Built by William the Conqueror after the Norman Conquest of 1066, it was never just one thing — it has been a royal palace, a fortress, a prison, a place of execution, a zoo, and a treasury. Today it is one of the most visited historic sites in Britain, and for good reason.
Most people know it by name. Far fewer know what is actually inside.
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The Tower of London is one of those places where the reality matches the reputation. Nearly a thousand years of history are concentrated into a relatively small site — and the layers of that history, from Norman conquest to Tudor executions to wartime secrets, are all visible if you know where to look.
It is busy, especially in summer. But it is busy for good reason.
