Tower of London
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Tower Of London (1988). A Royal Fortress, Palace, Prison And Treasury Begun By William The Conqueror In 1078, Now Holding The Crown Jewels, The White Tower Armouries, The Ravens And The Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters). Scene Of Executions And Imprisonment From The Princes In The Tower To Anne Boleyn · London, England
The Tower of London is a riverside royal fortress on the north bank of the Thames, begun by William the Conqueror around 1078 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over nine centuries it has served as a palace, armoury, mint, menagerie, prison and place of execution. The central White Tower holds the royal armour collection, while the Jewel House shows the Crown Jewels, still used by the monarchy. Prisoners here included Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey and, by tradition, the Princes in the Tower. Ravens live on the green, and Yeoman Warders, the Beefeaters, live inside the walls and lead storytelling tours. Tower Bridge stands next door but is a separate ticket and a separate attraction. This is a large, busy site: the Crown Jewels queue can be long, the walkways are cobbled and crowded, and it is among the dearest sights in London. Allow most of a day, book ahead, and arrive early. It is worth it for the history, but not as a quick stop between other sights.
Tower Hill, on the north bank of the Thames beside Tower Bridge, in the east of the City of London, London, England, United Kingdom
The Tower is open every day of the week but is commonly open a little later and longer on Tuesday to Saturday than on Sunday and Monday, and summer hours are longer than winter hours. The last entry is usually an hour or more before closing, so the buildings begin to empty late in the afternoon. It is closed on some days over Christmas, usually 24 to 26 December and 1 January, so check before a winter trip. Nothing inside is free: all areas, including the courtyards, need a paid ticket, and children under five are commonly admitted free. Yeoman Warder tours are included with admission and run through the day, roughly every half hour, weather and staffing allowing. Exact times and closed days change, so confirm on the official site before travelling.