Tower of London

See the world-famous Crown Jewels and meet the Beefeaters on a tour of the highlights at the Tower of London.

Fortress, prison, royal mint, and now a tourist attraction. The Tower of London has seen many lives over the past centuries and persists to this day as a powerful symbol of British heritage. A seemingly permanent fixture on London's skyline, the question of why and when the Tower of London was built still prevails to this day.

This iconic UNESCO World Heritage site started off life as an imposing river fortress for the formidable force that was William the Conqueror, dating back to the 1070s. In the 1200s, the Tower was expanded by King Henry III and Edward I - adding a moat and more defensive structures to prepare for the possibility of battle.

It famously became one of the most secure places in the country after it was appointed the home of the Tower Mint in the 1800s. All the money in the nation began here. Shortly after, the Royal Family also began storing its most precious jewels and possessions under the eye of some of the monarch’s personal bodyguards - the Yeoman Warders. The Warders have lived there since the 1500s and now serve as kindly tour operators.

The Tower has also famously been the site of many high-profile executions, the chopping block for which still stands on the grounds to this day. King Henry VIII famously had his wife Anne Boleyn executed there three years into their marriage on the grounds of adultery and treason. She was buried at the Tower's Chapel Royal alongside her fellow queens, Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey. However, rumor has it that she continues to haunt the execution grounds and unwitting tourists...

The Tower of London is a big deal for many reasons. First off, it's quite old—close to a thousand years old! Over the years, it's been a royal palace, a prison, and even a zoo. It has some pretty juicy stories, too. Kings and queens lived there, and some even lost their heads there. Plus, it's home to the Crown Jewels, those sparkly treasures that are basically the bling of British royalty. So, between the history, the stories, and the gems, there's a little something for everyone!

With your ticket, you get a guided tour led by Yeoman Warder, and these tours kick off every half hour. The tours are about an hour long and start close to the main entrance. It's all part of the package!

This historic fortress has so much to offer- from the spectacular Crown Jewels to the fascinating history of the British monarchy. It's the perfect opportunity to take a Tower of London tour and truly dive into England's past. With The London Pass®, you can enjoy incredible savings while exploring over 100+ popular London attractions, such as Kensington Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Hampton Court Palace.