Tower of London a fortress, palace, prison, and valuable monument

Tower of London is one of the most valuable monuments in the capital of Great Britain.

The official name of the Tower of London, mentioned in historical documents, is His Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London, and this name accurately describes the function this beautiful monument has served over the centuries. I can imagine that when you come to London, the Tower of London might not be your main destination, but it’s worth considering a visit to the castle, if only because of its history and the Crown Jewels displayed in the fortress’s dungeons.

In the article below, I will briefly discuss the history of the Tower, its exploration, and provide you with plenty of useful information and interesting facts that, I hope, will help you make decisions and navigate your visit.

Tower of London tour, prices, opening hours and some other tips

London is a city full of attractions of all kinds. Museums, art galleries, modern and futuristic buildings attract tourists from all over the world. However, like in any capital city, there are unique places that are closely tied to this city.

Among the attractions considered symbols of London are certainly the London Eye, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, the British Museum, and of course, the Tower of London. The imposing fortress with its rather grim appearance and walls towering high above the banks of the Thames has served many functions over the course of its thousand-year history and has often been the centre of events that changed the fate of the kingdom.

You will learn about everything that happened in the Tower of London by strolling through its spacious interiors. However, before you cross the fortress gate, you must buy a ticket. It’s best to do this in advance online, which will save you time spent in long queues at the ticket office. I recommend purchasing a combination ticket, which allows you entry to other attractions in London and save you some money.

When buying a ticket, you will be required to choose a specific time to enter the fortress. It’s important to consider this carefully and not be late, as the guards strictly adhere to formalities and may not let you in, especially in summer when there are so many visitors it seems as if the whole world suddenly descended on London just to enter the Tower of London.

Once inside the castle, be sure to visit the Three Towers (the White Tower, the Wakefield Tower, and the Lanthorn Tower), which once formed the luxurious Medieval Palace. It was a richly decorated and comfortable quarters for the monarch and his family. Today, most of the rooms have been restored and furnished with replicas of furniture and items used in the Middle Ages. Here I must add that the furnishings are not particularly impressive, and I believe that the interiors of Malbork Castle in Poland are much more interesting and better prepared.

In the further part of the article, I will discuss other noteworthy places that you shouldn’t miss.

To ensure a successful visit to the Tower of London, you should plan your trip carefully. Practical information gathered for you in the section below will help you with this.

Tower of London practical information that will be useful when visiting

• To explore the historic site, you’ll definitely need a map. You can download it from the official Tower of London website or request one at the entrance.
• Remember that the Tower of London is nearly a thousand years old, so some of its elements may be worn or damaged, especially stone stairs, walkways, and floors inside. Exercise caution in areas marked as less safe.
• There are no luggage storage facilities in the Tower, and some rooms may not allow entry with large bags or backpacks. Keep this in mind before coming to the fortress.
• The Tower of London offers many facilities for people with disabilities, but unfortunately, not all areas are wheelchair accessible.
• You can have a meal and a coffee in the Tower of London, although the prices are far from average. Therefore, I recommend eating before coming.
• You’ll find a souvenir shop in the monument.
• You can explore the Tower of London with an electronic guide, which costs an additional £5.
• Throughout the fortress, you can take photos (in rooms without flash) except in the Jewel House, where the Crown Jewels are kept.

Tower of London the history of the old fortress

The Tower of London is often referred to as the Bloody Tower, and this name fits it very well. The old and grim walls of London’s castle have witnessed many dark and bloody events, and the stories told about it can send shivers down your spine.

The construction of the great fortress began in the 11th century at the behest of William the Conqueror, King of England and Duke of Normandy, who, after seizing the English throne, began a ruthless struggle for influence and power. As history tells us, William didn’t do things by halves—if he wanted something, he went for it and usually got it, much like his father, Duke of Normandy, Robert I, also known as Robert the Devil.

The stronghold is located in the Tower Hamlets district of London and is separated from the famous City of London by a vast space known to locals as Tower Hill. It was there, on a small hill, that crowds gathered to witness numerous executions. The great and dark structure was intended from the beginning to be a symbol of Norman rule over English lands, but over time, it became a symbol of oppression exerted on London by the new king.

The first building to appear on the Thames was the White Tower, from which the fortress took its name. Subsequently, a complex of several buildings enclosed within two rings of defensive walls and a deep moat was constructed. Over the years, the Tower of London was expanded, and its various parts served various functions.

Initially, the palace standing in the central part of the fortress was a royal residence, but eventually, it became a notorious prison, a royal treasury, an armoury, and even a royal zoo. In other parts of the fortress, there were, among other things, the Royal Registration Office and a treasury where the Crown Jewels of England are kept to this day.

For centuries, it was believed that he who ruled the Tower of London ruled England. Therefore, it was often besieged, but its mighty walls managed to repel the attackers. The defensive function of the Tower of London ceased to be significant only when artillery began to be used on a large scale.

Today, the Tower of London is one of the most popular tourist attractions, not only in London but in the whole of England. The monument is under the care of the charity organization Historic Royal Palaces and is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tower of London and places you should pay special attention to

The White Tower is the most famous castle keep in the world, and certainly the best known. Its task was to deter attackers and command respect from the inhabitants of London. Today, the White Tower is a symbol of the city and the whole of Great Britain.

Below, I will list the places that particularly appealed to me, and I’m sure you will like them too.

Other features of the Tower of London you should see include:

• The Tower of St. Thomas was built by Henry III’s son in 1279. It stands near the Thames waterfront. A royal barge was once moored under the tower, and the gate leading to the waterfront is now called the Traitors’ Gate.
• King Edward I’s bedroom in the Tower of St. Thomas has been reconstructed based on available historical documents.
• The Lanthorn Tower was originally part of Henry III’s wife’s residence. Unfortunately, it was destroyed, and the current building dates back to the 19th century. Inside, materials have been gathered to help visitors understand life at court.
• The Wakefield Tower was built for Henry III in 1240 as a royal lodging and was initially located right on the banks of the Thames, so the king could sail up and access his rooms directly from the boat. It contains an audience chamber. Most of the interior decorations are replicas, including the royal throne, which in my opinion is ugly and cheaply made, but what do I know.

Ravens in the Tower of London

It is said that Britain and the Tower of London itself will fall and be consumed by time if six ravens residing there ever leave. King Charles II believed in this prophecy and insisted that the Tower ravens be protected by royal decree. Interestingly, this order was issued despite strong opposition from the court astronomer John Flamsteed, who disliked the large birds as they caused chaos in his observatory located atop the White Tower.

The ravens currently residing in the Tower bear the names Jubilee, Harris, Poppy, Georgie, Edgar, Branwen, and Rex. They are highly intelligent creatures, each with its personality. They can mimic sounds, play games, and even solve complex tasks. I witnessed one of the birds shouting in English at a group of children running on the lawn in front of the White Tower. At the same time, another raven was picking up small litter thrown on the sidewall and depositing it into the bin. I watched these remarkable creatures with great interest for about half an hour.

The Tower ravens have divided the fortress’s territory into territories and are vigilant to ensure that tourists behave properly. Remember not to approach the birds, especially not to touch them, as they can peck painfully if they feel threatened. Feeding them is also prohibited, as they must adhere to a strict diet to remain healthy and strong—remember what will happen if they are missing!

One of the Yeoman Warders, known as the Raven master, is responsible for caring for the birds. His task is to ensure the safety of the ravens. To prevent them from flying too high, their wings are periodically clipped. Another reason the ravens remain in the castle is the excellent living conditions provided to them by the warders. They are fed twice daily with a mixture consisting of mice, rats, chicks, and other delicacies that the ravens consider treats.

Throughout history, even in recent times, there have been cases where some birds were discharged from duty or simply expelled due to bad behaviour. Some learned to curse, others stole, and still others were such gluttons that they snatched snacks from tourists. One of the birds expelled from the fortress now resides near a pub in the East End district, where it has become a giant attraction.

Tower of London as a prison

The Tower of London gained fame primarily as a prison where opponents of the crown were sent. Often, shortly after crossing the castle walls, they disappeared without a trace or met a spectacular and painful end. In the Middle Ages, the phrase “sent to the Tower” meant that a person had been captured and would likely never be heard from again.

The castle served as a prison for almost its entire existence, but its darkest time was in the 16th and 17th centuries. During this period, many well-known figures were held in the Tower, including Elizabeth I, who would later become Queen of England.

Despite the terrifying stories that circulated over the centuries, only a few people were actually executed within the fortress itself. Most executions took place on Tower Hill, nearby. According to documents available in the castle museum, 112 executions of important and well-known individuals took place on the hill.

Religious propagandists, who contributed to the Tower’s bad reputation, were also sent to the prison. They arrived in groups, and upon release, they told terrifying, often exaggerated or entirely fabricated stories of what they had seen. However, the greatest fame came to the building in the 19th century, when writers and poets described the London prison in their works as a place of torture, violence, and death.

During both World Wars, the fortress also served as a prison, this time for traitors and spies. According to available records, 12 Englishmen working for Nazi Germany were executed there.

The first prisoner confined in the Tower in 1100 was Ranulf Flambard, a Norman bishop who became a scapegoat, accused of embezzlement and financial fraud, likely instigated by the king himself. The last prisoners were the Kray twins, Ronald and Reginald, who formed a criminal gang operating throughout London. They were convicted of murder, extortion, kidnapping, pimping, and bribery. In 1952, after the Tower closed as a prison, they were transferred to another facility.

Tower of London information and interesting facts

• The Tower of London was built in 1066.
• The fortress consists of three parts: the outer ward, the area around the White Tower, and the inner ward.
• The current layout of the castle was established in 1285.
• The London landmark is the most visited attraction in the UK.
• Yeoman Warders, numbering 32, have been serving in the Tower for over 700 years.
• There are always at least 6 ravens living in the Tower of London. If the birds were to disappear, the Tower and the entire UK would fall.
• The royal crown jewels are stored in the underground chambers of the London fortress.
• The Tower Warders and their families permanently reside in the Tower of London.
• The White Tower is 30 meters high with walls 3.5 meters thick.
• Executions were carried out at the Tower Green. It was here that two of Henry VIII’s wives were executed by starvation.
• The Tower is said to be haunted by countless ghosts, as recounted in numerous legends.

Polish version