Tower of London,Tower Hill

Tower of London

Begun by William the Conqueror in 1078, the Tower of London has served as a royal residence, fortress, mint, armoury and more infamously as a place of execution. Nowadays the Tower is the most visited heritage attraction in the country. Since the seventeenth century, the Crown Jewels have been on public display and today visitors can see them in all their glory in the magnificent Jewel House. Take time to explore the White Tower, the original Tower of London, which houses the stunning collections of the Royal Armouries Museum - the national collection of arms and armour. Yeoman Warder 'Beefeaters' give free guided tours providing an unrivalled insight into the dark secrets of the Tower's history. Above the notorious Traitor's Gate, costumed guides evoke life at the court of King Edward I in the restored chambers of the Medieval Palace. Visitors can stand on Tower Green where three queens of England lost their heads, enter the Bloody Tower where Sir Walter Raleigh was imprisoned and stroll along the Wall Walk with its panoramic views of the River Thames. The Tower of London is also one of the most haunted places in Britain boasting, among many, the ghosts of Thomas a Becket, the Little Princes (King Edward V and his 9 year old brother Richard, Duke of York) and most notoriously, Anne Boleyn. The most haunted part of the Tower being the Salt Tower, a place where not only dogs refuse to enter but Yeoman Warders are also unwilling to visit after nightfall. With 900 years of British history within its walls, the Tower really is London. Disabled access is limited, please call for details. The following events are free to Tower ticket holders.