WHY NO TRIP TO LONDON WOULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT A VISIT TO THE FASCINATING TOWER OF LONDON!

Repost: This post was originally posted back 18 February, 2021 and has since been updated and republished on May 8, 2022. When visiting England’s capital, be sure to visit the fascinating Tower of London. This fantastic Castle is at the top of your list as it truly is like stepping back in time! Once inside its walls, it would be easy to spend the whole day here as there is so much to see and do. Once made famous by King Henry VIII, there’s more to this Castle than a stomping ground for Henry to dispose of his wives.

A Brief History

When the Normans successfully invaded England in 1066, William the Conqueror was crowned King, and to exert his dominance, he built the Tower of London. Through time it was expanded by several monarchs leaving us with the beautiful Castle we have today.

You may have heard the saying, “Send them to the Tower!” Well, this is that very place. The Castle at one time was used as a royal residence, but it is more well known as a notorious prison and was still used as such until the mid-20^th century, with its last inmates being the Cray Twins. After the 1500s, it was mainly used for ceremonial occasions. Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife, stayed here in the royal apartments on the eve of her coronation in 1533. Three years later, she was back, but as a prisoner accused of treason by the King and subsequently beheaded.

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The White Tower

The White Tower in the center of the Castle was the tallest building in London when it was constructed in 1067. It is still very impressive today with its white stone structure that now houses the Royal Armoury collection. Here you will find awesome suits of armour and weapons on display, and you will get a feel for what it would have been like preparing for battle through the ages. There is also a massive suit of armour here that once belonged to Henry VIII, which is absolutely huge. If you have kids, they will especially love this exhibition.

An Eerie Feeling

There are some ruined buildings near the Bloody Tower that I decided to go and explore. While looking around, a really eerie feeling came over me, and I felt like I was being watched. I turned around and found that I was the only person in the room, so I quickly left. It gave me the shivers! Consequently, I have never been back to this area, and it would not surprise me if a few spirits were roaming around due to how many people were executed here. There is also the famous story of the Princes in the Tower, who both disappeared in 1483. Allegedly, they were murdered by their uncle Richard III, though recent evidence will dispute this. I agree and believe it was more than likely either his wife Queen Ann or Margaret Beauford, mother of Henry VII.

The Old Royal Palace

Some of the Tower’s rooms have been restored to how they might have looked in the late 1200s during the reign of Edward I (Longshanks). The Kings Chamber has a large wooden carved bed with a luxurious fireplace and painted flowers on the walls. Connected to the chamber is a small chapel with green tiled floors. It is so opulent that it is only viewable from the doorway in an attempt to preserve it.

Fascinating Displays

There are artifacts on display, including coins from the reign of Edward I, which were minted at the Tower, as the Royal Mint used to be housed here. Don’t miss the hilarious medieval health and safety poster, which you would have to see to believe. It shows a diagram of a man being stabbed and points out all of the vulnerable places a knife might cause injury. Now, I’ve never been stabbed before, but I am going to assume that a stab wound anywhere on the body would probably cause a person injury! I wonder if they hadn’t put the poster up back then, would they have been sued as they would today?

The Crown Jewels

A real treat would have to be seeing the Crown Jewels, which are also kept here in the Jewel House. If you plan to visit the jewels and there is a long queue (and there will be), do yourself a favour and join it as soon as possible, because trust me, it won’t be getting any smaller. The Crown Jewels are absolutely stunning. Nothing sparkles like the Queen’s diamonds. Unfortunately, you can’t take photos, but don’t worry, you won’t ever be able to forget this moment. Even if you are not a blingy person, I am sure you will still be suitably impressed!

Yeoman Warders

Now, if you want your time here to be extra special, be sure to book a free tour with the Yeomen Warders of the Tower, otherwise known as Beefeaters. You may be wondering why they have such an odd name. Is it because they eat beef all day? Not even close! The Beefeaters actually live here full time and look after the running of the Castle. You need to have at least twenty years’ service in the armed forces as well as other stipulations before you can qualify for a job here!

They do a spectacular job of bringing the Castle to life by showing tourists around and revealing the history of past Kings and Queens who once lived here. They do this entertainingly and knowledgeably, and you can ask them any questions you may have.

Get out of my way!

One unfortunate sight I witnessed was that of a little boy who happened to be standing in the path of some marching Grenadier Guards. They barked at him for getting in their way, and I did feel sorry for him as he looked petrified. So be sure to keep out of their way!

The Castle is always busy, and rightly so, as it is one of the best tourist attractions in London. I wouldn’t be able to tell you the best time to avoid the crowds because it has been hectic every time I have visited, so I genuinely have no idea. But don’t let this put you off as I am sure you will love it.

Know Before You Go

How much does it cost to visit the Tower of London?

TOWER OF LONDON TICKET PRICES FROM 01 MARCH 2022:

Members (entry to all six palaces from £62 per year) – Free

• Adult age 18-64 £29.90 (with donation included – £32.90)
• Child age 5-15, must be accompanied by an adult – £14.90 (with donation included – £16.40)
• Concession Age 65+ or 16-17, full-time student, disabled visitor – £24.00 (with donation included – £26.40)
• Family saver 1, includes 1 adult & up to 2 children aged 5-15 – £52.20 (with donation included – £57.50)
• Family saver 2, includes 1 adult & up to 3 children aged 5-15 £52.20 (with donation included – £57.50)
• Family saver 3, includes 2 adults & up to 2 children aged 5-15 – £82.10 20 (with donation included -£90.40)
• Family saver 4, includes 2 adults & up to 3 children aged 5-15 – £82.10 (with donation included -£90.40)

You might be thinking that the admission ticket is quite pricy. But there’s a reason for that. The Castle receives no government funding. In fact, it’s run by a charity called Historical Royal Palaces, which also looks after several other properties, including Hampton Court Palace.

Your entry to the Tower of London includes being able to see The Crown Jewels, The White Tower, Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula, the Battlements, Medieval Palace, Bloody Tower, Torture at the Tower exhibition, Fusiliers Museum and the Royal Mint exhibition. As you can see, your ticket covers quite a lot.

Opening Times

The Castle is open from 9 AM – 5.30 PM. Last entry 4.30 PM.

What is the address of the Tower of London?

St. Katherine’s & Wapping, London EC3N 4AB

How do I get to the Tower?

Unless you’ve been dispatched by the courts up the River Thames through Traitors Gate as her Majesty’s prisoner, it’s actually quite easy to get to the Tower. It’s located right on the Thames, and next to Tower Bridge, so if you’re walking here, it’s very easy to find. If catching the Tube, then get off at the Tower Hill stop on the District and Circle Lines, then it’s just a five-minute walk here. If you’re catching the bus, hop on the 15, 42, 78, 100 and RV1, which all stop very close to the Tower. For those catching the train, your closest stop is London Bridge Station, around a 15-minutes walk away.

How long was Elizabeth I imprisoned in the Tower?

Queen Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen, spent around two months imprisoned in the Tower in 1554 by her sister and Queen, Mary I, also known as Bloody Mary. She thought that her sister was involved in a plot to overthrow her.

How many ghosts are there at the Tower of London?

Apparently, there are as many as 13 ghosts in the Tower of London, and some of them are pretty famous, ranging from the Princes in the Tower to Walter Raleigh and even Lady Jane Grey, the nine-days-queen.  

What facilities are there at The Tower?

There’s plenty of facilities at the Tower, to make your visit here more comfortable. Toilets are situated within the Castle, as well as a café and an excellent souvenir shop.  

Is the Tower accessible?

Some parts of the Tower is accessible. However, there are other sections where you wouldn’t be able to use a wheelchair or baby stroller. This is due to the thousand-year-old design, which includes lots of steps and uneven surfaces,

Why are ravens kept at the Tower?

There are six ravens kept at all Tower at all times. This has always been the case since a prophecy was told to Charles II after he went to remove them. If the ravens were removed, the White Tower would fall, and a great disaster would befall the kingdom. Sir Winston Churchill ordered that there must always be at least six ravens kept with the ground at all times.  

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Thanks for reading my post on the amazing Tower of London. I was so impressed with this Castle, as there is so much to see and do, that it would be quite easy to spend at least half a day here. If you are not short on time, then I would highly suggest that you do so. There’s the crown jewels, the White Tower, which houses all the armour from past Kings, and you can also peruse all the old rooms where royalty once lived. It’s truly fascinating!

Despite having visited this wonderful place several times already, I’m itching to return. On my next visit, I would love to have a tour with the Yeoman Warders / Beefeaters, as they really are amazing. I’ve seen them in action showing the tourists around, making them laugh, and telling you all about the history of this fascinating structure. They also live on the tower grounds, and I’m sure that they could tell you a few interesting stories, or too!

Looking to visit The Tower of London? You can purchase your tickets to the Castle here.

Are you planning a trip to London in the future? Where are you planning on visiting? Let me know in the comments section below!

Scroll to the bottom of this post for more articles on London as well as other great places to visit from around the world.

Check out my other related blog posts of London by scrolling to the bottom of this post.