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The Tower of London


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About The Tower of London


More formally known as Her Majesty’s Palace and Fortress, the Tower of London is most famously known as a prison and execution site for high-profile criminals, usually accused of high treason. Enemies of the state were brought to it along the Thames, entering through ’Traitor’s Gate’.

Key people to be executed here included William Hastings, Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, Lady Jane Grey and Robert Devereux.

Recent executions included 11 German spies captured during WW1.

Elizabeth I was imprisoned in the White Tower during the reign of her sister Mary.

The most recent prisoner was Rudolf Hess was held here for 4 days during WW2.

William the Conqueror ordered it to be built from stone, imported from Normandy, so that it would be able to withstand any attack on London.

Richard the Lionheart then upgraded its defences with a moat.

King John then decided to use it as a Royal Menagerie to house animals from home and abroad. The menagerie was opened to the public in 1804 and thus became London’s first zoo until being replaced by the current London Zoo at Regents Park in 1835.

Apart from being a tourist attraction, the Tower is used to guard the priceless Crown Jewels, used to crown sovereigns on their Coronation Day. The guardians of the Tower are famously recognised in their red tunics and black stockings and being known as the ’Beafeaters’.

The Tower is also the home to 7 black ravens which must be fed at the expense of the government. If no ravens reside at the Tower, then the country is believed to be under threat of invasion!

Address

HM Tower of London

London EC3N 4AB

Travel

Nearest Underground: Tower Hill (Circle & District line/DLR)

Please note - During the duration of the work to make Tower Hill a more accessible, safe and traffic-free civic space, public access to the Tower of London will be diverted via the Tower Moat. From Tower Hill Underground Station signs will direct the public down temporary steps into the moat, where a specially-constructed path will lead them to another set of temporary steps and from there up to the ticket kiosks.

NOTES

Opening hours

1 November - 28 February

Tuesday - Saturday: 09.00-17.00

Sunday - Monday: 10.00-17.00

Last admission: 16.00

1 March - 31 October

Monday - Saturday: 09.00-18.00

Sunday: 10.00-18.00

Last admission: 17.00

All internal buildings close 30 minutes after the last admission. The Tower closes one hour after the last admission.

The Tower is closed 24-26 December and 1 January (inclusive).

Tower of London: Events & Tickets

This is a list of events currently on at Tower of London. All events listed in this section can be booked online. Click on an event for further details.

A Gala Night of Opera with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa A Gala Night of Opera with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
at HRP Tower of London
A Gala Night of Opera, featuring Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the Future Stars of Opera with The City of... more »

Classical Extravaganza Classical Extravaganza
at HRP Tower of London
Tickets to a gala evening of popular classics conducted by Anthony Gabriele with Nigel Hutchison (Piano) and Natasha Marsh (Soprano)... more »

Lesley Garrett and the Fron Male Voice Choir Lesley Garrett and the Fron Male Voice Choir
at HRP Tower of London
Lesley Garrett and the Fron Male Voice Choir with The Fine Arts Brass Ensemble performing at the Tower of London... more »

Nigel Kennedy presents an evening of Bach and Ellington Nigel Kennedy presents an evening of Bach and Ellington
at HRP Tower of London
Violin virtuoso Nigel Kennedy is to play the gala opening of the Continental Airlines Tower Festival on Thursday 10th September... more »

Remembering The Miles Davis Classic, Kind of Blue at 50 Remembering The Miles Davis Classic, Kind of Blue at 50
at HRP Tower of London
Remembering The Miles Davis Classic, Kind of Blue at 50 featuring Jimmy Cobb's So What Band, featuring Wallace Roney, Vincent... more »

Sadlers Wells is Dance Sadlers Wells is Dance
at HRP Tower of London
Sadlers Wells is Dance is a gala evening of dance starring Tamara Rojo, Paco Pena & Company, Anton du Beke... more »

Tower Admission Ticket Tower Admission Ticket
at HRP Tower of London
Prebook your tickets now and get fast track entry to the Tower of London PLUS pay less than you would... more »

WOMAD presents World Music at the Tower WOMAD presents World Music at the Tower
at HRP Tower of London
WOMAD presents presents World Music at the Tower, featuring Khaled and The Imagined Village (19th September) and The Bays &... more »

Yeomen of the Guard Yeomen of the Guard
at HRP Tower of London
Gilbert and Sullivan's Yeomen of the Guard performed at the Tower of London for the first time in 30 years... more »

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