On the north bank of the Thames, the Tower of London has been a royal palace, a fortress, a prison, an armoury, a mint, a zoo and the home of the Crown Jewels. Founded by William the Conqueror, it is, in UNESCO's words, the most complete surviving 11th-century fortress palace in Europe. In Part 12 of World Landmarks, we explore its dramatic history and explain how to visit.
Tower of London at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Tower Hill, City of London |
| White Tower built | About 1078–1100, for William the Conqueror |
| Managed by | Historic Royal Palaces |
| UNESCO | World Heritage Site since 1988 |
| Adult ticket (2026) | £38 |
| Highlight | The Crown Jewels in the Jewel House |
Nearly 1,000 years of history
After conquering England in 1066, William the Conqueror built a great stone keep to dominate London. The White Tower, begun around 1078, was a statement of Norman power. Later kings added walls, towers and a moat, creating the concentric fortress we see today. Henry VIII added the four domed turrets before Anne Boleyn's coronation in 1533.
The Tower's most famous role is as a prison. Its first known prisoner, Bishop Ranulf Flambard, escaped in 1101. The young "Princes in the Tower" disappeared there in 1483. Queens Anne Boleyn (1536) and Lady Jane Grey (1554) were beheaded within its walls. Yet, according to Historic Royal Palaces, only a handful of executions took place inside the Tower; most of the roughly 150 executions associated with it happened on nearby Tower Hill. The last execution at the Tower was of a German spy, Josef Jakobs, shot in 1941.
The Tower also housed the Royal Mint for centuries and a Royal Menagerie of exotic animals from the 1200s until 1835.
The Crown Jewels
Most of the present regalia were made for the coronation of Charles II in 1661, because the earlier jewels had been melted down after the Civil War. They have been on display at the Tower ever since. In 1671 Colonel Thomas Blood famously tried to steal them. Today they are shown in the Jewel House, opened in 1994, and are still used in coronations. Photography is not allowed in the Jewel House.
Ravens and Yeoman Warders
Legend says that if the ravens ever leave the Tower, "the fortress and kingdom will fall", so a group of ravens is cared for by the Ravenmaster. The Tower is also guarded by the Yeoman Warders, popularly known as "Beefeaters", a royal bodyguard founded by Henry VII in 1485. All are former members of the armed forces with long and distinguished service, and their entertaining tours are included in your ticket.
What to see
- Crown Jewels in the Jewel House.
- White Tower: the original Norman keep, with displays of royal armour.
- Traitors' Gate: the river entrance through which many prisoners arrived.
- Bloody Tower: linked to the Princes in the Tower.
- Medieval Palace: refreshed and reopened in 2025.
- Tower Green and the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula, burial place of Anne Boleyn.
Ticket prices 2026
| Ticket | Price | With donation |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18–64) | £38.00 | £41.80 |
| Child (5–15) / young person (16–17) | £19.00 | £21.00 |
| Concession (65+, students, disabled) | £30.30 | £33.40 |
| Under-5s and carers | Free | Free |
- Historic Royal Palaces lists the same price online and at the gate, but advises booking ahead because of queues.
- Tickets are single entry. Annual membership (from £65) covers the Tower, Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace.
- Special experiences include the Opening Ceremony (£62) and evening ghost tours (£49).
The Ceremony of the Keys
Every night at about 9:30 pm, the Chief Yeoman Warder locks the Tower's gates in a centuries-old ceremony. Tickets are released online only, at 1 pm on the first working day of each month for the following month, and sell out fast. Prices rose in June 2026; the official site currently shows a pay-what-you-choose range from £10, with £30 suggested.
Opening hours
In October 2026 the Tower opens 9:00 am–5:30 pm Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 am–5:30 pm on Monday and 9:00 am–4:30 pm on Sunday, with last entry at 4:30 pm. Allow at least two to three hours. Some areas can close at short notice.
Getting there
- Tube: Tower Hill (District and Circle lines), about 5 minutes' walk.
- DLR: Tower Gateway.
- Rail: Fenchurch Street or London Bridge, 10–15 minutes' walk.
- River: Tower Pier, served by river boats.
Rules and accessibility
- All bags are checked. Suitcases and large bags are not allowed, and there is no left luggage.
- No tripods, selfie sticks or flash photography.
- Historic surfaces are uneven and access is difficult in places, but wheelchairs can be hired and there are accessible toilets and a Changing Places facility.
Visiting the UK: ETA
Visitors from Europe, the US, Canada, Australia and other visa-free countries now need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling. It costs £20 on the official gov.uk service; beware of lookalike sites that charge more. Nationals of other countries, including India, need a visitor visa.
Nearby
Walk across Tower Bridge next door, or relax at St Katharine Docks. For another ancient British wonder, take a day trip to Stonehenge (Part 6).
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Tower of London?
£38 for adults and £19 for children in 2026, with free entry for under-5s.
Are the Crown Jewels real?
Yes. The regalia on display are the real Crown Jewels, still used by the monarch for coronations and state occasions.
How long should I spend at the Tower?
At least two to three hours, longer if you join a Yeoman Warder tour.
How do I get Ceremony of the Keys tickets?
Book online at 1 pm on the first working day of the month for the following month; they sell out quickly.
Sources
- Historic Royal Palaces – Tower of London tickets and prices
- Historic Royal Palaces – 50 facts about the Tower of London
- Historic Royal Palaces – Ceremony of the Keys
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Tower of London
- GOV.UK – Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
World Landmarks: the full series
- Part 1: Eiffel Tower
- Part 2: Acropolis of Athens
- Part 3: Angkor Wat
- Part 4: Great Wall of China
- Part 5: Chichén Itzá
- Part 6: Stonehenge
- Part 7: Alhambra
- Part 8: Sagrada Família
- Part 9: Statue of Liberty
- Part 10: Christ the Redeemer
- Part 11: Neuschwanstein Castle
- Part 12: Tower of London (you are here)
- Part 13: Forbidden City
- Part 14: Terracotta Army
- Part 15: Sydney Opera House
- Part 16: Pompeii
- Part 17: Palace of Versailles
- Part 18: Vatican and Sistine Chapel
- Part 19: Hagia Sophia
- Part 20: Louvre Museum
Prices, opening hours and entry rules in this guide were checked against official sources in October 2026. They change often, so always confirm on the official website before you travel.
