In this article, I present the Tower of Londona must-see medieval fortress in the capital.
Here you'll find
- A presentation of the Tower of London
- What you can see on a visit
- How to reach it easily
- Practical information: prices, opening hours and tour tips
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about the Tower of London, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
Tour of London: article summary
Tower of London: a multifunctional fortress in the heart of the city
The medieval castle known as Tower of London is one of the most important buildings in the British capital. During your visit LondonI recommend that you go there, for its architecture and fascinating history!
Introducing the Tower of London
The official name of the Tower of London is Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London. But it is commonly referred to as the White Tower (White Tower), the tower keep built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror.
She has served in turn prisonthen palace and royal residence with successive enlargements by Kings Richard I, Henry III and Edward I between the 12th and 13th centuries. It was during this period that it acquired the definitive structure we see today!
In the space of just 3 hours, we show you the the best of the historic center of London (must-sees + secret spots) with a French-speaking guide just for you.
Among the most prestigious positions held by this Tower of London are those of gunsmithing (useful for repelling sieges until the 16th century, when its defences became obsolete), and its menagerie where animals as exotic as lions and polar bears populated what was then London's first zoo.
She was the Royal Mint headquartersthe agency responsible for minting pounds sterling, until the 19th century.
She is surrounded by legends (it has been said to be haunted...), myths and mysteries (with its crows or its Ceremony of the Keys, which has taken place there every day for over 700 years), and traditions, with its famous guardians (the Beefeaters) who stay in the tower with their families.
Clearly, it's a must-see in Londonand a tour full of surprises!
Facts and figures about the fortress Â
- The tower hides a Pubaccessible only to staff, known as the The Keys
- The most famous prisoners include Guy Fawkes (updated by the mask of V for Vendetta / Anonymous), Queen Elizabeth I or Thomas More, who spent 15 months locked up before being beheaded.
- The uniforms of the Beefeaters cost more than 7,000 pounds sterling part
What can you see and do when you visit the Tower of London?
The Tower of London is listed UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, and it holds many wonders. Here's a quick roundup of what not to miss when you visit!
The White Tower
This is the dungeon of the Tower of London, where the crypt of the Saint-Jean chapel and the royal armory. A must-see, to walk in the footsteps of illustrious prisoners or monarchs of past centuries.
She almost 1000 years and she's still as impressive as ever!
The crown jewels
Since the 17th century crowns, gowns and royal jewels are stored and displayed for visitors to see. Added to these are the 23,578 precious stones that make up the royal jewels, making this treasure trove a priceless treasure and one of the most visited items in the UK.
More 30 million people have already seen these wonders, and the number is growing!
The ramparts
The Tower of London consists of three different ramparts (exterior, intermediate and interior), which you can explore by following the path of the guardians. The view is superb, and allows you to appreciate the scale of the various buildings.
A set of towers
Visit White Tower is not the only tower to visit, far from it. You can also discover the salt tower (where the archers stood to defend the building), or the Beauchamp Tower with engravings on the walls, bearing witness to the prisoners' stays.
Visit Green Towerwhere some famous prisoners were discreetly executed, such as Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, two of Henry VIII's (many) wives. Or the Bloody Towerwhere princes Edward and Richard are said to have been murdered in the 16th century!
The crows!
Visit crows are the symbol of the Tower of London and are associated with an expression which says that if the crows leave the tower, it will collapse.
This is why 6 crows- christened Jubilee, Harris, Poppy, Georgie, Edgar and Branwen for current residents - are mutilated to prevent them from fleeing.
You may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them, not far from a Ravenmaster (master raven) who looks after their well-being.
Keepers and actors
As mentioned above, the Beefeaters are the guardians of the Tower of London. They are famous for their dress, their sense of humor and because they take charge visitors to discover the most significant facts and anecdotes during a 45-minute tour. It's free, and I recommend you take advantage of it!
In addition to these guards, you will see actors who perform historical scenes, in costume, to make the visit even more attractive.
How do I get to the Tower of London?
The Tower of London is located at the following address:Â St Katharine's & Wapping, EC3N 4AB, London
You can access it easily via :
- Visit metroDistrict and Circle lines, Tower Hill stop
- Visit buslines 15, 42, 78, 100, Tour de Londres stop
- Visit trainto London Bridge station, then 15-minute walk
- A cab
- A river shuttle to Tower Pier stop
Tour of London: prices, opening hours and practical information
Here's what you need to know to visit the Tower of London without a hitch!
Rates and booking
- Adult ticket (over 16): 34 euros
- Children's ticket (ages 5 to 15): €16.90
- Student/senior discount (over 65): 27 euros
- Family tickets are available, starting at 60 euros
The easiest way to secure a place on the tour and avoid the crowds queuing at the ticket office is to book online. You choose the date of your visit and receive your tickets immediately on your mobile devices. All you have to do is present them at the entrance.
Good to know At the moment, a visit to the tower moat is included in the entrance ticket!
Opening hours
You can visit the tower:
- from March to October Tuesday to Saturday, 9.00 am to 5.30 pm, 10.00 am to 5.30 pm on Sundays and Mondays
- From November to FebruaryTuesday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday and Monday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Practical information
I recommend that you arrive as soon as possible and start by visiting the Crown Jewels, to avoid the long queues that quickly form.
The fascinating stories presented here are about torture, imprisonment and death. Younger readers may find them a little frightening...
You will not be able to take photos/film, unless otherwise indicated in the visited area.
What to see and do in the area?
Not far from the Tower of London, you'll find many interesting and fun activitiesto continue your discovery of the area. Here are a few suggestions:
- Climb to the top of the Walkie-Talkie to discover the view from the Sky Garden
- Climb to the top The Shardthe most impressive view of London
- Visit the London Bridge and Tower Bridge, both close to the Tower
- Cross the Thames and discover the Borough MarketLondon's oldest food market!
What to do in London in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special London guide.
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Thank you for your very concise and comprehensive information!