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.
A Fortress Built to Intimidate
When William the Conqueror ordered the White Tower to be built in 1078, the intention was political as much as military. Sitting just inside the old Roman city walls, the structure was designed to be seen by Londoners — a reminder of who was now in charge.
The White Tower itself still stands at the centre of the complex. Its walls are 15 feet thick at the base. It originally served as a royal residence, but its imposing design sent a clear message to the city around it.
Over the centuries, successive monarchs added to the site. The curtain walls, moat, and outer defences were built up through the 12th and 13th centuries, largely under Henry III and Edward I. By the time Edward I finished his expansions in the 1280s, the Tower had taken on roughly the shape visitors see today.
The moat, which once held water and formed part of the defensive ring, was drained in 1845 on the advice of the Duke of Wellington, who was concerned about disease. It is now kept as a dry ditch, though during the Second World War it was used to grow vegetables.
The Crown Jewels
The Crown Jewels have been kept at the Tower of London since the 14th century. The collection includes the crowns, sceptres, orbs, and other items used in royal ceremonies — most famously the coronation of British monarchs.
The centrepiece is the Imperial State Crown, worn by the sovereign at the State Opening of Parliament each year. It contains 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and 269 pearls. The Cullinan II diamond — the second-largest cut diamond in the world — is set into the front.
Also on display is the Koh-i-Noor diamond, set into the late Queen Mother’s crown. The diamond has a disputed history and has been the subject of longstanding calls for its return from India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Security around the Jewels is considerable. The current vault was opened in 1994 and is protected by reinforced glass, moving walkways to keep crowds flowing, and a permanent guard presence. They have only been removed from the Tower twice in modern times — during the Second World War, when they were hidden in Windsor Castle.
The Ravens
You will almost certainly see them before you look for them — large, glossy black birds walking with surprising confidence around the Tower grounds.
There is a legend, often attributed to Charles II, that the kingdom will fall if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London. Whether or not Charles actually said this, the ravens have been a fixture at the site for centuries.
Today the Tower keeps a minimum of six ravens at all times. They are cared for by the Ravenmaster, a role currently held by Christopher Skaife, who has written about the birds and their individual personalities. Each raven has a name — current residents have included Jubilee, Harris, Gripp, Rocky, Erin, and Poppy.
The birds have their wings partially clipped to prevent them from flying away, though they are not kept in cages and roam freely during the day. They are fed raw meat, biscuits soaked in blood, and the occasional rabbit.
Prisoners and Executions
The Tower’s reputation as a place of imprisonment goes back to its earliest days. Its most famous prisoners include Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, Lady Jane Grey, Thomas More, Walter Raleigh, and Guy Fawkes.
Executions at the Tower were not as common as popular history suggests — most high-profile executions took place on Tower Hill outside the walls, in front of large public crowds. The Tower Green, the small space within the walls where private executions did take place, was used for only seven executions in total. Among those executed there were Anne Boleyn in 1536 and Catherine Howard in 1542.
The most recent execution at the Tower took place in 1941, when Josef Jakobs, a German spy, was shot by firing squad. He is the last person to have been executed in the Tower of London.
The Bloody Tower, one of the most visited areas of the site, is associated with the story of the Princes in the Tower — Edward V and his younger brother Richard, Duke of York — who disappeared in 1483 and are widely believed to have been murdered, though the full truth of what happened to them has never been established.
The Yeoman Warders
The Yeoman Warders — commonly known as Beefeaters — are among the most recognised figures in British ceremonial life. They have guarded the Tower since the 15th century and today serve as both ceremonial guards and tour guides.
There are currently around 37 Yeoman Warders at the Tower. All are former senior non-commissioned officers from the British armed forces, with at least 22 years of service and a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. They live on-site within the Tower walls with their families.
The nickname “Beefeater” has several proposed origins. The most widely cited is that they were historically allowed to eat from the royal table, including generous portions of beef — a significant privilege at the time. However, no definitive origin has been confirmed.
The Yeoman Warders conduct free tours several times each day. These are one of the best ways to understand the site, as the warders combine genuine historical knowledge with personal stories about living and working at the Tower.
The White Tower’s Armoury
Inside the White Tower itself is one of the most significant collections of arms and armour in the world. The Royal Armouries collection held here includes suits of armour worn by Henry VIII — including one made for his later years, when his waist had expanded considerably — as well as weapons from across five centuries of British military history.
The armour for Henry VIII’s horses is also on display, which often surprises visitors who do not realise how thoroughly medieval warfare armoured both rider and mount.
The Ordnance Gallery traces the history of gunpowder weapons in Britain, and the Line of Kings — a display of royal figures on horseback — has been a feature of the Tower since the 17th century, making it one of the oldest permanent visitor attractions in the country.
Practical Information for Your Visit
The Tower of London is open Tuesday to Saturday from 09:00 and on Sundays and Mondays from 10:00. Last entry is at 17:00 (16:00 in winter). It is closed on 24–26 December and 1 January.
Adult tickets cost £34.80 for adults booked in advance online. Children under five are free. Historic Royal Palaces members get free entry. Tickets bought on the day cost more, and queues can be long during peak season.
The Tower is a short walk from Tower Hill Underground station (District and Circle lines) or Fenchurch Street overground station. Tower Gateway on the DLR is also nearby.
Allow at least two to three hours if you want to see the Crown Jewels, the White Tower armoury, and catch a Yeoman Warder tour. In summer, book your entry ticket in advance — the Crown Jewels queue alone can add significant time to your visit.
The site is largely accessible for visitors with mobility needs, though some areas of the medieval buildings have uneven floors and narrow passages. The Crown Jewels vault and the main courtyard are fully accessible.
Worth the Visit
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.