About
The Tower of London is one of the world's most famous fortresses and has seen service as royal palace, fortress, prison, place of execution, arsenal, Royal Mint, menagerie, and jewel house. Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066, this UNESCO World Heritage Site tells 1,000 years of British history.
Home to the Crown Jewels, including the Imperial State Crown with 2,868 diamonds, Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters), resident ravens, medieval royal apartments, armor collections, and dark tales of imprisonment and execution.
The White Tower, built in 1078, remains one of the finest examples of Norman military architecture.
Categories:
Annual Visitors (2022)
2,857,698
Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
Quietest: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Busiest: Saturday, Sunday
💡 Arrive at opening to see Crown Jewels before crowds. Weekday mornings best.
💡 Visitor Tips
- Arrive at opening (9am) to see Crown Jewels before crowds build up
- Join a free Yeoman Warder tour (every 30 mins) - entertaining and informative
- Book tickets online in advance - saves queuing and money
- Allow 3-4 hours minimum - there's much more than the Crown Jewels
- Watch the Ceremony of the Keys (nightly locking ceremony) - book months in advance
- Visit on weekday mornings in winter for smallest crowds
Highlights
The Crown Jewels
Breathtaking collection of 23,578 gemstones including the Imperial State Crown (2,868 diamonds), Sovereign's Sceptre with Cullinan I (530-carat diamond, largest cut diamond in the world), and coronation regalia used by monarchs for 800 years.
The White Tower
William the Conqueror's great fortress built 1078, oldest part of the Tower. Houses Line of Kings display with royal armor including Henry VIII's famous suit, medieval armor collection, and Chapel of St John (finest Norman church in London).
Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters)
Iconic ceremonial guards who live in the Tower with their families. Free guided tours every 30 minutes led by Yeoman Warders sharing gruesome tales of imprisonment, torture, and execution.
The Ravens
Seven resident ravens protected by royal decree. Legend says if the ravens leave, the Tower and monarchy will fall. Ravenmaster cares for them daily.
Collections
The Tower of London houses the Royal Armouries collection (oldest museum in Britain), Crown Jewels (working royal regalia), and extensive historical collections. Holdings include medieval and Tudor armor and weapons, royal armor of Henry VIII and Charles I, tournament armor, Oriental arms and armor, Crown Jewels including coronation regalia, royal plate, and gemstones.
Also archaeological finds from Tower excavations, Tudor and medieval artifacts, paintings and prints of the Tower, coins and medals, and extensive archives.
The building itself is a monument - 900 years of continuous fortress architecture.
The Crown Jewels
23,578 gemstones including Imperial State Crown and coronation regalia
📍 Waterloo Block
The White Tower - Royal Armouries
Line of Kings armor display, medieval weapons, Henry VIII's armor, Chapel of St John
📍 White Tower
Medieval Palace
Edward I's recreated 13th-century royal apartments
📍 St Thomas's Tower & Wakefield Tower
Torture at the Tower
Instruments of torture and stories of interrogation
📍 Wakefield Tower basement
The Bloody Tower
Prison tower and Raleigh's apartments
📍 Bloody Tower
Tower Green & Scaffold Site
Execution site memorial and stories
📍 Tower Green
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.