{"id":35255,"date":"2024-04-01T09:38:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-01T09:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/?p=35255"},"modified":"2025-12-18T18:47:26","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T18:47:26","slug":"what-to-see-at-the-tower-of-london-and-how-to-tour-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/what-to-see-at-the-tower-of-london-and-how-to-tour-it\/","title":{"rendered":"What To See at the Tower of London (And How To Tour It)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Tower of London is an iconic landmark steeped in history and intrigue. A UNESCO heritage site, London\u2019s castle has held many roles over the years, from a royal residence to an infamous prison.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a place with plenty to experience, whether you\u2019re interested in London\u2019s history, the Crown Jewels, or just some great photo opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this guide to the Tower of London, I’ll share what you can see and do plus how to visit. But first, a little bit of backstory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A brief history of the Tower of London<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Tower<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Tower of London has a long and varied history. It’s been home to a palace, the royal mint, a prison, museum, and even a zoo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So why was the Tower of London created? And what makes it one of the most unique landmarks in London? Your tour guide has the scoop, but here’s a quick intro before you visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fort and palace<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Tower of London was built as a fortress by William the Conqueror in the 1070s. It took 20 years to create with stone imported from France and was expanded over the centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While its initial purpose was all about defence, as the keep, moat, and walls show, medieval monarchs also made the interior into a sumptuous palace, not quite on the level of Versailles<\/a> but hardly just a barren stone fort either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The residential area of the fort included St. Thomas\u2019s Tower, the Wakefield Tower, and the Lanthorn Tower. In St. Thomas’ Tower, you can glimpse Edward I\u2019s bedroom, complete with replica furnishings based on 13th-century drawings and manuscripts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A chapel was later added as was a zoo \u2014 we’ll call it a menagerie \u2014 and a separate palace near the White Tower. This palace was made resplendent for the coronation of the new queen, Anne Boleyn, in 1533, but Henry VIII\u2019s second and ill-fated wife was only able to enjoy it for three short years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James I is the last known royal to use the Tower of London as a place to stay. He briefly overnighted there in 1603.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prison and execution site<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The tower also has a darker side to its history. It was used as a prison and the execution site of famous inmates like Lady Jane Grey (queen for barely nine days) and Guy Fawkes (who attempted to blow up Parliament, memorialized on Guy Fawkes Day).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then there are those who simply vanished, like the \u201cPrinces in the Tower,\u201d who were placed there in 1483 by their uncle, Richard III, never to be seen again. The mystery of their disappearance has never been solved, but in 1674, two skeletons matching the ages of the missing princes were unearthed at the tower. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some former prisoners are said to haunt the tower still. Most famous of these is the ghost of Anne Boleyn, who’s been spotted \u2014 they say \u2014 wandering the Tower Green where she was beheaded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Museum and tourist attraction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, nearly a thousand years later, the Tower of London is primarily an attraction for visitors curious to learn about this medieval marvel. It draws over 3 million visitors a year, and there are exhibits about the history, replicas to bring the past to life, guided tours, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this monument is unlike your typical castle turned museum. There are people who live inside the Tower of London \u2014 not prisoners but the Yeomen Warders and their families, a garrison of soldiers, and the person who keeps it all running smoothly: the Resident Governor and Keeper of the Jewel House. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make the tower homey, it has all the essentials, including an on-site doctor, a chaplain, and, of course, a pub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do at the Tower of London <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Tower of London has lots to offer visitors, in fact you can easily spend half a day here or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walk the battlements for great views, enjoy the natural biodiversity of the recently transformed moat (filled with greenery rather than water), and admire the majesty of the White Tower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also learn about the Tower\u2019s gruesome history at the Torture at the Tower exhibition. Hear murderous tales in the Bloody Tower, or walk in the footsteps of those condemned to a grisly execution at Tower Green.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a change of pace, explore the Royal Beasts exhibit and learn about the history of royal zoos at the tower. You can also visit the mint to discover how the country\u2019s coins were made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to visit the Tower of London<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Tower<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Tower of London is an impressive attraction and with so much to see and do, it would be easy to feel overwhelmed. Go with a guide, and you’ll get all the interesting historical tidbits and be shown all the must-see places in the tower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We run a London in a day tour<\/a>. Not only will you see all of London’s best attractions in a day, you\u2019ll also get a guided tour of the Tower of London. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll get plenty of opportunities to take photos of the famous London skyline, Beefeaters, ravens and, of course, the famous London tower itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Famous sights at the Tower of London <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you can tell, there’s a lot to do here. Even if you don’t go inside (although you really should!), you can admire the architecture and read the informational placards from outside the walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few specific sites worth keeping an eye out for when you visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The White Tower<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The White Tower is the oldest part of the Tower of London, built by William the Conqueror to deter invaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s now home to the Royal Armoury and the Line of Kings exhibition where you can see the royal armor of Henry VIII, among others.  Inside the tower you\u2019ll also find the 11th-century Chapel of St. John the Evangelist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Crown Jewels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Crown Jewels are one of the most popular highlights of any visit to the Tower of London. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They have been stored safely in the Tower since 1661, and the impressive collection of 23,578 gemstones includes items that are still used in national ceremonies to this day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapel Royal of St Peter Ad Vincula <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The chapel dates back to the days of Henry VIII. Two of his six wives are buried there (Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard) as well as Sir Thomas More and Thomas Cromwell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tower of London ravens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Tower<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Did you know the Tower of London has several resident ravens? You’ll often see them perched on or near the castle walls, providing the perfect ambiance. But why are they here?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s the stuff of legends. There are six ravens in residence<\/a> at the tower, and the saying goes that if the ravens ever leave, the tower and the kingdom will fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can find the ravens in their enclosure on the South Lawn. These brainy birds are fed and looked after by a dedicated Yeoman Warder called the Ravenmaster \u2014 you might even get to witness their gory lunch of mice, chicks, rats, and blood-soaked biscuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who are the Beefeaters?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Beefeater<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Beefeaters fulfill an important role in the kingdom, but let’s first introduce them by their proper name. Their official title is \u201cthe Yeomen Warders of His Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London, and Members of the Sovereign’s Body Guard of the Yeoman Guard Extraordinary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not known for certain where the name Beefeater came from, but one theory is that Henry VII’s personal bodyguards were allowed to eat as much beef as they wanted from the King’s table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historically, the role of the Beefeaters was to safeguard the monarch, protect the Crown Jewels, and to guard any prisoners in the Tower of London. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, their role is largely ceremonial. They conduct tours, perform the Ceremony of the Keys each night, and show up in more than a few tourist photos. With their striking uniforms, they are an integral part of the Tower of London experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changing of the Guard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Tower of London is a lesser-known site to witness the Changing of the Guard. There are five regiments who perform three daily ceremonies at the tower:<\/p>\n\n\n\n