Tower of London

The Tower of London, a World Heritage Site spans over 900 years of history and is home to the spectacular Crown Jewels, Yeoman Warders and legendary ravens; a must on any itinerary to London. From Easter 2006 the represented Medieval Palace will allow visitors to explore the Tower as a royal residence, taking visitors back to the 13thcentury and the reigns of Henry III and Edward I.

Mar - Oct: Tues - Sat, 9am - 6pm, Mon & Sun, 10am - 6pm

Nov - Feb: Tues - Sat, 9am - 5pm, Mon & Sun, 10am - 5pm

Closed 24, 25, 26 Dec and 1 Jan
Last admission is 1 hour prior to closing time.

The Tower of London, a World Heritage site, spans over 900 years of history and is home to the spectacular Crown Jewels, Yeoman Warders and legendary ravens. From the 11th century through to the present day the Tower of London has been the site for the Royal Mint, a fortress, a place of execution and imprisonment, a palace, a menagerie and an arsenal.

True to British life many traditions are still in place at the Tower including the Ceremony of the Keys, tickets for which you must book in advance. The ceremony has occurred every evening for the last 700 years - at 09.30pm the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters) recognisable for their red outfits and elongated black hats, lock the gates of the Tower of London and deliver the keys to the Resident Govenor of the Tower. Another tradition upheld is the use of the bell in the Bell Tower - the bell is still rung but not to warn of danger as it once was, but to warn the visitors that it is time to leave.

The Tower is made up of a number of buildings and exhibitions and takes a few hours to view properly - tours can be arranged on site with the Yeoman Warders who will help you to understand the intriguing past of the Tower. Areas worth a visit include;

The White Tower
The White Tower marks the start in history for the Tower of London. Built during the reign of William the Conqueror the White Tower is the reason the Tower of London is named as a tower and is the oldest complete building at the Tower of London. The building owes its name to Henry III who had the external walls whitewashed - hence the name White Tower.

Crowns and Diamonds Exhibit
From the Restoration to the present day this exhibit displays the development of British Crowns. Crowns in the extravagant display include the very adornments worn proudly by the British Monarchy during Coronations and royal ceremonies, the exhibit also explores the history behind two of the most famous diamonds in the world - the Koh-i-Noor and the Cullinan diamonds.

The Medieval Palace
Central to the Tower of London, the Medieval Palace once the residential home to the Kings of England is now a reconstruction of rooms as they would have appeared during the 13th and 14th centuries. The interior design and exhibitions allow the modern visitor to catch a glimpse of life as it once was.

The Bloody Tower
As chilling as the name suggests this tower was home to a number of criminals over the years and some of Britain's most famous. It is thought that the Bloody Tower may have been home to the Princes of the Tower before they mysteriously disappeared in the 15th Century. Today the Tower is not as chilling without its criminal lodgers but displays the rooms as they would have appeared during Sir Walter Ralegh's 13 year imprisonment there.

The Tower of London is steeped in history and tradition and is well worth a visit whilst in London. The whole site can easily fill a day and if you book in advance you will skip the inevitable queues for this popular London attraction.

If you book this attraction as part of a Show and Stay London theatre break the entrance will cost just £15 adult and £9 child.

Interesting Facts

• Did you know that the Tower of London was once home to three leopards!
• Did you know the ghost of Queen Anne Boleyn who was beheaded in the Tower for treason, is said to still haunt the site carrying her head under one arm!
• Did you know Anna Askew is the only woman reported to have been tortured at the Tower after she was taken there in 1546!