Tower of London
The royal castle and fortress on the banks of the River Thames, home to the Crown Jewels, ravens and the legendary Beefeaters.
Overview
A World Heritage Site that has stood for nearly 1000 years, the Tower of London is not only a Royal Palace, but also an infamous prison and site of gruesome histories. High-profile prisoners include Sir Walter Raleigh, Anne Boleyn and Guy Fawkes. Today, the chance to view the Crown Jewels draws people from all over the world.
Visitors can see re-enactments of key historical events, and displays of armour, weaponry and other artefacts. You can also watch royal guards and sentries at work (including the nightly Ceremony of the Keys, an ancient military ritual). Take a tour with one of the Yeoman Warders – i.e., the 'Beefeaters' – or spot the other 'beef-eaters', the famous ravens of the Tower. Don't forget to get up close to the iconic White Tower, an excellent example of Norman architecture and the oldest structure on the site.
