Tower of London
London
EC3N 4AB
T: 0870 756 6060
E: visitorservices_tol@hrp.org.uk
Visitor Information
Open: 9am-4pm Tue-Sat
10am-4pm Sun-Mon (Nov-Feb)
9am-5pm Tue-Sat
10am-5pm Sun-Mon (Mar-Oct)
The Tower of London, founded by William the Conqueror in 1066-7, is one of the world’s most famous fortresses, and one of Britain’s most visited historic sites. Despite a grim reputation as a place of torture and death, there are many fascinating stories to be told about the Tower. The building is a powerful and enduring symbol of the Norman Conquest and has been enjoyed as a royal palace, served as an armoury, a medieval fortress, a prison, the Royal Mint and, of course, as home to the Crown Jewels. For a few years in the 1830s, it even housed a zoo!
An intriguing cast of characters have played their part, including the dastardly jewel thief Colonel Blood, tragic Lady Jane Grey and maverick zoo keeper Albert Cops. Costumed guides, Yeoman Warders and recorded tours offer the gritty details to visitors. The Tower also runs a programme of regular costumed events and one-off specials, such as concerts in the Chapel Royal of St Peter Ad Vincula, 62-gun salutes and the Ceremony of the Keys.
Accessibility
Read what DisabledGo say about access to the Tower of London.