Guide to The Tower of London

The Tower of London has to be one of the coolest places to visit in London, maybe even all of England. So much history, amazing architecture, great guides lead by Beefeaters (coolest name ever), ravens to ensure that England doesn’t fall, and even the crown jewels. There’s also amazing suits of armor, torture devices, ghost tours, and maybe even a few ghosts. Tower of London is one of those castles that you just have to see.

Location & Info

London EC3N 4AB, United Kingdom, https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/

Pronunciation Made Easy 🙂

The Tower of London- We think you probably have this one covered- message us if you need help

Why You Should Visit

The Tower of London is still a royal castle/ palace and the oldest and owned by the Queen.
There’s no better way to learn the history of London and the Monarchy so quickly than a guided tour
See the crown jewels, historic armor, and amazing and important architecture
This castle is one of the most famous in the world and the seat of power for many centuries- see how the royalty lived and prisoners died throughout time

Attractions Must See’s & Must Do’s

You really have to see the crown jewels- they are absolutely breathtaking!
Take a tour from a real Beefeater and learn about the history of the Tower
Walk the perimeter of the castle and see the metal statues representing the former royal menagerie
If you’re visiting later in the day consider taking an evening tour where you can learn more stories
Check out the Hall of Kings that has an amazing collection of armor, swords and other weapons
The Tower Bridge built by Queen Victoria is RIGHT there- like right next to the castle. Take a stroll along the bridge

Beefeaters at Tower of London

Brief BUT Interesting History

England has a long and storied history and the history of its monarchy is no different. We’ll attempt to keep it brief but please allow us to indulge in some of the more weird stories- you won’t regret it.

The White Tower (the inner building in the castle) was built in 1078 by William the Conqueror with the outside walls being constructed in the late 1100’s. Over time The Tower served as a royal residence, armory, treasury, wild animal menagerie, and even a prison.

Over time however, the Tower was used less and less as a royal residence and more as an armory and prison. Vestiges of this change are still present today as you walk the grounds and notice more military fortifications rather than lux furnishings and finishes.

During the end of the 15th century, the Tower became the home to the two Princes, Edward and Richard somewhat under the guise of protection until the coronation of Prince Edward. They were declared illegitimate and their uncle ascended to the throne. Some rumors were spread that the boys had been killed and their bodies hidden in the Tower while others suggest that they escaped. In 1674, workmen found the bodies of two young children hidden in a box underneath stone stairs. These bones were interred carelessly and have never been tested to discover any further potential information but it is widely believed that these could be the remains of the missing princes. (More info on this infamous case is available in their tours)

The Tower continued its use primarily as a prison, royal mint, and home to the royal jewels. When the Royal mint relocated, the Tower began it’s first larger restoration, ripping out many of the buildings that were built after the medieval period.

During both of the World wars, the Tower of London was used as a prison and even held 12 executions, more than prior centuries combined as many historical executions were held on nearby ‘Tower Hill’. A WWII blitz caused substantial damage to many buildings which required rebuilding and further restoration after which, it became a tourist attraction and museum. Today The Tower of London is a World Heritage site and receives over 3 million tourists each year!!

Tower of London Armory

‘Good to Know’ Tips

Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays!
Parking can be a bit tricky- we recommend taking an Uber, classic black cab, or even the Tube to get there. The best Underground Tube stop to see The Tower of London is the Tower Hill stop.
There’s onsite cafes available (we’ve heard they’re pretty good) and plenty of bathrooms
Tickets to the Tower of London are included in the London Explorer Pass and The Royal Palace Pass** We definitely recommend checking these out to save a few dollars/quid!
Tower of London has one of THE BEST gift shops we’ve ever been to. Please make time to wander and check out their unique pieces including jewelry made from gold that’s sourced where the crown jewels source their gold! As ever, if you want to save room in your suitcase or even just buy a few extra things once you come home, we recommend you check out some of the cool things we’ve found below 🙂

Raven at The Tower of London