{"id":5597,"date":"2023-11-20T12:27:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-20T08:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.headout.com\/?p=5597"},"modified":"2024-01-30T13:16:42","modified_gmt":"2024-01-30T09:16:42","slug":"tower-of-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.headout.com\/blog\/tower-of-london\/","title":{"rendered":"Discover 1000 years of British history at the Tower of London"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Tower of London derives its name from its central \u2018White Tower\u2019 and has 22 towers in total. It is a stronghold within two concentric walls and a moat. Officially known as \u2018Her Majesty\u2019s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London\u2019 its origins started with the building of the White Tower in 1078. Since then, it grew over time and became the large castle it is today. <\/p>\n

Essential Information<\/h2>\n

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Things to know <\/h4>\n

Best time to visit – weekday after 3 pm Suggested duration – 3 HoursBuilt in – 1070Closest subway Stop – Tower HillStarting Tower of London Ticket<\/a> Price – \u00a329.9 <\/p>\n

Opening Hours <\/h4>\n

\u2022 Sun-Mon: 10 AM – 4:30 PM\u2022 Tue-Sat: 9 AM – 4:30 PM<\/p>\n

Must-see<\/h4>\n

The White Tower and the Line of KingsThe Jewel HouseThe Royal MintThe Bloody TowerThe Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum<\/p>\n

Address <\/h4>\n

St Katharine’s & Wapping, London EC3N 4AB, UKGet Directions<\/a><\/p>\n

Why You Must Visit The Tower of London <\/h2>\n

When William the Conqueror set about building the \u2018Tower of London\u2019 to establish his rule in the city, he picked a strategic spot. Right beside the River of Thames on Tower Hill, the Tower was set to be built so it could be seen from afar. Throughout its history, the Tower was expanded by future kings and queens. It has witnessed the Game of Thrones and tells tales of horror, political manipulation, and palace intrigue.<\/p>\n

Not only the stories, but the physical architecture of the Tower of London also made it the strongest castle keep in the world. It was a military stronghold and housed the royal armoury. Its forts boast of the strength and valour of the British Empire. With a fortress, a prison, a mint and a royal residency, the Tower of London has played many roles. To truly experienced the place, one needs to step inside it and take a trip through 900 years of British history. <\/p>\n

Tower of London History<\/h2>\n

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The Tower of London was meant as a Royal Residence but over time it became a place for the royal armoury and prison. The gruesome history goes back to its use as a prison where it held influential royalty like Anne Boleyn and Queen Elizabeth I. Later, to add to the list, Guy Fawkes also joined the ranks of prisoners. <\/p>\n

Today the Tower of London is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is visited by more than 2.7 million tourists each year. The castle is more than just an architectural masterpiece; it is a testament to the history of England itself!<\/p>\n

Tower of London Tickets & Tours <\/h2>\n

There are various ways you can go about taking a Tower of London Tour<\/a>. You can opt to tour just the White Tower, behold the Crown Jewels and go on a Beefeater Tour, or you can buy combo tickets that allows you a Tour of the Tower along with tickets to another prime attraction in London. We highly recommend the Combo tours as they work better on the pocket and help you save a few euros. <\/p>\n

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Save \u00a37<\/strong> on your Tower of London Tour when you use promo code GOLDN<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Best Tower of London Combo Tours<\/b><\/h3>\n

These tours come along with tickets to other London attractions with complimentary walking tours across the city. Purchasing these tours are a great way to save money while you explore more of London. <\/p>\n

Highlights of Your Tower of London Tour Experience<\/h2>\n

1<\/span>Tower of London Crown Jewels<\/h2>\n

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Rites and rituals passed on for generations have maintained a semblance of continuity in the British monarchy. While the world is moving on to different governing models, the monarchy and its unique traditions appear enigmatic. The coronation regalia or as they are commonly known, \u2018crown jewels\u2019, form a part of the monarchy’s traditions. Used since the 1600s during coronations and other special occasions by the kings and queens, these jewels are the symbol of the wealth of the British Empire. The iconic crown jewel collection is stored in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. It holds more than 140 objects, including 7 sovereign crowns and other objects like sceptres, orbs, swords, robes, and sacred plates. Some of the unique items include The Imperial State Crown, St. Edward\u2019s Crown, the Sovereign\u2019s Orb, and the Jewelled Sword of Offering. The unique collection houses 23,578 gemstones sourced from all across the world, displaying the might of the empire back in its golden period. It also hosts magnificent diamonds like the world\u2019s largest diamond \u2013 Cullinan I \u2013 as well as the famous Koh-i-Noor, which now adorns the Queen\u2019s crown.<\/p>\n

2<\/span>White Tower<\/h2>\n

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There was one primary purpose of the White Tower \u2013 to intimidate and unnerve invaders. It served this purpose incredibly well! Built by William the Conqueror in the 1080s, the White Tower is the most recognisable n the Tower of London. The tower was a castle keep, the strongest part of a medieval castle, and was, in fact, known to be one of the strongest military holds in the Christian World. Today, it holds the Royal Armouries Collection, including the Line of King’s exhibition. You will also find an incredible Romanesque Chapel inside known as St. Johns\u2019 Chapel. The White Tower also has a macabre history \u2013 the top floor of the tower has an 18th-century executioner block with an axe! The tower\u2019s basement also has witnessed gore, including the torture of Guy Fawkes and the Jesuit priest John Gerard.<\/p>\n

3<\/span>Yeoman Warder \/ Beefeater Tour<\/h2>\n

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You will often spot a uniformed guard at the Tower of London, regaling groups of tourists with stories of palace intrigue, imprisonment, torture and more. These are the Yeoman Warder tours conducted at the Tower of London for free of cost in your Tower of London tickets! Nicknamed as the \u2018Beefeaters\u2019, these guards are Members of the Sovereign’s Body Guard of the Yeoman Guard Extraordinary and have been the ceremonial guards of the Tower for more than 500 years.Currently, there are 37 Yeoman Guards at the Tower, including a woman. One of them is also the designated \u2018Ravenmaster\u2019 who takes care of the ravens at the tower. The story goes that once the ravens leave the tower, it will fall to ruins! The Beefeaters are believed to be given this name because they could have unlimited access to beef from the king\u2019s table. Today, these Yeoman Guards are the living icons of the Tower of London and their engaging tours start every 30 minutes at the Tower of London. <\/p>\n

4<\/span>The Ravens at Tower of London<\/h2>\n

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Better known as the guardians of the Tower, you will see a flock of Ravens, oversized black crows at the South Lawn of the Tower. The legend goes that the Tower of London will fall if the six resident ravens ever leave the fortress, so expect to see 7 Ravens roaming the Tower precincts during the day and presiding over four different territories within the Tower’s walls. The current Tower ravens are Jubilee, Harris, Gripp, Rocky, Erin, Poppy and Merlina. If you’re lucky, you might even see the Ravenmaster feeding them. Be warned, one must not attempt to feed the ravens as they can bite if they feel their territory is being threatened.<\/p>\n

5<\/span>The Lines of Kings Exhibition<\/h2>\n

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The Line of Kings is one of the oldest exhibitions at the Tower of London, having originally debuted in 1688. It was designed to promote \u2018kingship\u2019 and pride in the monarchy after a tumultuous period in history. The original exhibition was curated based on the morality of the kings and only a few kings like Edward III and Henry VIII made it to the exhibition. Today, however, there is a full representation of the history of kings and noblemen. The exhibition is a display of the royal armoury and includes the full armour mounted on wooden horses. There are also many oddities and unique objects related to the armed forces of the monarchy. The exhibition is included in the price of the Tower of London tickets and is an incredible display of the strength of the British monarchy.<\/p>\n

5<\/span>The Coins & Kings Exhibition<\/h2>\n

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The Tower of London experience is not complete without a visit to the permanent exhibition, \u2018Coins and Kings\u2019. The exhibition is located at what used to be the site of the Mint before it was moved out of the Tower after a financial crisis. It includes an impressive display of coins that have been used since the early 1200s. There are also outdoor installations and interactive displays which narrate the history of currency in England. You will also come across unheard stories, like the time when Isaac Newton tried to rid London of counterfeiters and the time when Charles II rejected commonwealth money. The Coins and Kings exhibition is included in the Tower of London tickets and should not be missed!<\/p>\n

6<\/span>Live Historical Re-enactments<\/h2>\n

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Image Courtesy: Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n

A unique event with live historical enactments is conducted regularly at the Tower of London. The theatrical group dresses up in medieval costumes and enacts some of the most interesting events from history. The interesting aspect is that the show also involves the audience, making it the perfect tourist experience. While listening to an audio guide or live guide is one thing, the historical enactments ensure you will never forget about the Red Earl, Johanna Ferrour, or Sir Thomas Neville!<\/p>\n

Tower of London Map<\/h2>\n

If you’re doing a self guided tour, it would be advised to download the map and keep it handy on your phone. The area is vast and chances of you getting lost are high! <\/p>\n

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Image Courtesy: Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a> \"Tower <\/a><\/a> Tower Of London Entrances Simplified<\/a> <\/p>\n

All about the Tower Of London Entrances<\/h2>\n

Know all about the two main entrances at the Tower of London and which one you should choose. <\/p>\n

Know Before You Visit The Tower of London<\/h2>\n

Getting to Tower of London<\/h3>\n

Adress<\/b>: St Katharine’s & Wapping, London EC3N 4AB, UKGet Directions<\/a><\/p>\n

The Tower of London can be easily accessed by public transport plus. Most hop on hop off<\/a> tour buses also stop at the Tower.<\/p>\n