In London, few landmarks carry the weight of history like the Tower of London. Standing on the north bank of the Thames, just a short walk from Tower Bridge and the Shard, this ancient fortress has watched over the city for over 900 years. It’s not just another tourist stop-it’s where kings were crowned, prisoners were executed, and the Crown Jewels have been guarded since the 14th century. If you’ve ever walked past it on your way to the Tube at Tower Hill or caught a glimpse of its stone walls from a Thames riverboat, you’ve seen the heartbeat of London’s past.
A Fortress Built on Power
William the Conqueror ordered the White Tower built in 1078, not just as a royal residence but as a statement: London was now under Norman control. The thick limestone walls, rising 27 metres high, were designed to intimidate. By the time Henry III and Edward I expanded it into a complex of 13 towers, the Tower had become a palace, a prison, an armory, and a zoo-all at once. Today, you can still walk the same cobbled paths where medieval kings rode in procession, and where Anne Boleyn took her final steps before execution.
The Tower isn’t just old-it’s layered. Each century added something new: the Bloody Tower, where the Princes in the Tower vanished; the Wakefield Tower, where kings were once held; the Jewel House, where the Crown Jewels now gleam under bulletproof glass. Even the moat, long dry, still traces the original defensive line. You don’t need a history degree to feel the gravity here. Just stand in the Inner Ward on a quiet morning, before the tour groups arrive, and listen. The wind still carries whispers of betrayal, power, and survival.
The Crown Jewels: More Than Glitter
Over two million people visit the Crown Jewels every year. And for good reason. The Imperial State Crown, worn by the monarch at every State Opening of Parliament, holds 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and five rubies. The Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross, made in 1661, is topped by the 317-carat Cullinan I diamond-the largest clear-cut diamond in the world. These aren’t museum pieces. They’re active symbols of the British monarchy, used in ceremonies that still happen today.
What most visitors don’t realize is that the Crown Jewels have been stolen once. In 1671, Colonel Thomas Blood tried to steal them, flattening the sceptre with a mallet and stuffing the crown into his trousers. He was caught, pardoned, and even given land. That story alone shows how deeply the Tower’s mystique runs in London’s culture. You can’t walk through the Jewel House without feeling the weight of centuries. Security is tight-no photos allowed, armed guards, motion sensors-but the real protection is tradition. These objects belong to the nation, not the palace.
The Beefeaters: Guardians of the Past
They’re not called Beefeaters because they eat beef-they’re Yeomen Warders, and they’ve guarded the Tower since 1485. These men and women are retired military professionals, often with 22 years of service, who now live in the Tower with their families. Their uniforms? Red and gold, unchanged since the Tudor era. Their tours? Unscripted, full of dark humour and sharp facts. Ask one why the ravens are kept here, and they’ll tell you: if the ravens leave, the kingdom falls. That’s not folklore-it’s policy. The Tower has seven ravens, each with a clipped wing, and a dedicated Ravenmaster who feeds them raw meat every morning.
Most tourists snap photos of the Beefeaters in front of the White Tower. Locals know to catch their 11:00 a.m. Ceremony of the Keys, the nightly locking ritual that’s been performed without fail for over 700 years. Even during the Blitz, when bombs fell nearby, the ceremony continued. It’s the longest-running military ceremony in history. If you’re in London on a weekend, book tickets early-this is the one experience you won’t find replicated anywhere else.
Ravens, Ghosts, and the Unexplained
The Tower doesn’t just hold history-it’s haunted by it. Visitors report cold spots in the Bloody Tower, whispers in the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula, and the shadow of Anne Boleyn walking near the scaffold site. The most famous ghost story? The Princes in the Tower. Edward V and his brother Richard, aged 12 and 9, vanished in 1483 after being locked away by their uncle, Richard III. Their bones were found in 1674, buried under a staircase. They’re now interred in Westminster Abbey, but their story lingers.
And then there are the ravens. Legend says if the ravens leave, London will fall. The Tower’s Ravenmaster keeps them fed, groomed, and safe. One raven, named Merlina, once flew over the Thames and landed on the roof of the nearby Tower Bridge. She was brought back. Another, Jim Crow, was known to mimic the sound of a police siren. These aren’t just birds-they’re part of London’s living heritage. You’ll see them strutting near the Waterloo Barracks, sometimes pecking at tourists’ hats. Don’t feed them. They’ve been trained to expect nothing but what’s given.
Visiting Today: What You Need to Know
If you’re planning a visit, here’s what works in London: arrive before 9:30 a.m. to avoid the worst crowds. The Tower opens at 9:00 a.m. on weekdays, and the morning light hits the White Tower just right. Use the Tower Hill Tube station (District and Circle lines)-it’s a five-minute walk. If you’re coming from the City, walk along the Thames Path-it’s scenic, free, and passes under Tower Bridge.
Tickets cost £33.80 for adults, but if you have a London Pass, you get in free and skip the queue. The Tower is also included in the London Explorer Pass and the Merlin Attractions Pass. For families, the Junior Beefeater activity trail is free and keeps kids engaged. Don’t miss the Medieval Palace, where you can see reconstructed royal chambers with interactive displays. The armoury exhibit is massive-over 700 pieces, from chainmail to ceremonial swords.
For a local’s touch, grab a coffee at The Tower Bridge Café just across the road, or grab a pie and ale at The George Inn nearby, one of London’s last remaining galleried coaching inns. After your visit, take the 15 bus to Borough Market-its stalls are open until 5 p.m. on weekdays, and the smell of roasted coffee and artisan cheese is the perfect contrast to the Tower’s stone silence.
Why the Tower Still Matters
The Tower of London isn’t just a relic. It’s proof that London doesn’t erase its past-it wears it. You’ll find it in the way the Beefeaters still march in their Tudor uniforms, in the way the ravens strut like they own the place, in the way the Crown Jewels still gleam under the same glass that once held the regalia of Elizabeth I and Charles I. It’s in the quiet moments, when the last tour group leaves and the wind blows through the battlements, and you realize: this is where London became what it is.
It’s not just a tourist attraction. It’s a living archive. A symbol. A reminder that power, mystery, and endurance are woven into the very stones of this city. Whether you’re a lifelong Londoner or just passing through, standing here isn’t just sightseeing. It’s connection.
Can you visit the Tower of London at night?
The Tower of London is open until 5:30 p.m. daily (6:30 p.m. in summer), but it does not offer public evening tours. However, the Ceremony of the Keys happens every night at 9:53 p.m. and is open to the public-book tickets months in advance. It’s the only time you can witness the Tower being locked for the night, a ritual unchanged since 1340.
Are the Crown Jewels real?
Yes, they are the actual coronation regalia used by British monarchs since the 17th century. Most were remade after the original jewels were melted down during the English Civil War. The Cullinan I diamond, the Sovereign’s Sceptre, and the Imperial State Crown are authentic and have been worn by every monarch since Queen Victoria.
How long should I spend at the Tower of London?
Plan for at least three hours to see everything: the Jewel House, the White Tower, the Medieval Palace, the ravens, and the chapel. If you want to join a Yeoman Warder tour and explore the outer towers, allow four to five hours. Locals who work nearby often take lunch breaks here-it’s easy to lose track of time.
Is the Tower of London worth visiting if I’ve been to other castles?
Absolutely. Unlike Scottish or Welsh castles, the Tower of London isn’t just a fortress-it’s a working symbol of state power. It’s where monarchs were crowned, executed, and imprisoned. No other site in the UK has housed the Crown Jewels for over 600 years. The combination of political history, royal ritual, and living tradition makes it unique.
Can you see the Tower of London from other parts of London?
Yes. From the top of The Shard, the Tower’s white walls are clearly visible to the east. From the South Bank near City Hall, you get a framed view with Tower Bridge in the foreground. Even from the London Eye, you can spot it just beyond the river. It’s one of the few landmarks that anchors the skyline from multiple angles, a constant presence across the city.
Next Steps for Londoners
If you’ve never been inside, make it a goal this year. Bring a friend, take a weekday morning, and skip the rush. If you’ve been a dozen times, go again-this time, focus on the chapel or the armoury. There’s always something new to notice. The Tower isn’t just a place you visit. It’s a place that visits you.