| Tower of London tips and photos posted by real travelers and London locals.
Tower Hill, EC3
• 687 Photos
• 446 Reviews
See all London Things To Do |
 | London Tower of London Reviews | 1 - 10 of 446 |  |
The Tower of London is an ancient fortress (1076) standing on the banks of the River Thames. Over its history it has been used as a royal palace and fortress, a prison, an arsenal, and a jewel house, amongst other things.
Attracting loads of visitors from around the world, it is best to get there early if you want to avoid the crowds. You can also save time by buying your ticket in advance from any Tube station.
Once inside you can enjoy a guided tour led by the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters), who live within the Tower precincts. If you are around in the evening check out the Ceremony of the keys, when the Beefeaters lock the Tower gates and the keys are ceremoniously locked away in the Queen's house.
Besides the history, and the numerous towers to explore, the biggest draw card for visitors are the beautiful Crown Jewels. You can see some of the worlds largest and most historic diamonds....but sorry ladies, they are a little too big to be made into a ring!
If you don't end up doing one of the tours, you can still do a self-tour (guidebook in hand!) or pay extra for an audio-tour. We just wandered about, amazing over the Crown Jewels, exploring the towers and trying to take photos of the resident ravens. Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
Visiting London?
Read reviews about London Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
I realise that the Tower of london is probably high on the list of must sees for visitors to London, and rightly so. with almost a thousand years of history, the priceless Crown Jewels, ravens and splendidly attired Yeoman warders, it really is a wonderful place to visit.
What people are perhaps less aware of is the Ceremony of the Keys. It is by ticket only (limited numbers) but is really well worth seeing.
Tickets for this ceremony are free but you need to apply 6-8 weeks in advance. Write to The Ceremony of the Keys, Waterloo Block, HM Tower of London, London, England EC3N 4AB enclosing a stamped addressed envelope or coupon-response international and stating the names of the attendees.
As the Yeoman warders put it, at 700 years, it's the longest running show in town. Leave a Comment
|
The Tower of London has a long and diverse history. The present White Tower is on the same site as the original wooden fort erected by Wm. the Conqueror.
The moat, double drawbridge entrance, towers, and curtain wall were added in the 13th Century.
Even though the Tower of London has been a fortress and royal palace for hundreds of years, most people think of it only as a prison and a place of execution. But, did you know that it's also been used as a royal mint, royal armory, royal zoo, and royal observatory?
Today, the only animals in The Tower of London are six or seven ravens. They are kept because of a legend that says that the White Tower (and the Monarchy) will collapse if these ravens leave.
Perhaps the real role of the White Tower is security of the Monarch. (That's why the Crown Jewels are kept there!)
Many people who come to visit the Tower of London come to hear about the gore and violence. Most prisoners were kept in the Bloody Tower where the Yeoman Warders looked after them.
Edward IV's two sons were put in this tower by their uncle who became Richard III!
Trials took place in Westminister Hall. So, prisoners were ferried to Westminister Hall and back to the Tower along the river. Of course, crowds would wait by the river to discover the verdicts of the court, wishing to see a public execution! When the prisoner arrived back at The Tower, the executioner stood behind him and would indicate the verdict by using the head of his axe. If it pointed toward the prisoner, he was guilty; if it pointed away from the prisoner, he was not guilty. Seven people died here.
Today, 40 Yeoman Warders guard the tower.
The Tower of London is located just east of the City limits. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
While we were up in the London Eye, we could just barely make out the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge in an easterly direction - I did not realize these two landmarks were so far away from the Westminster area we were touring on that day. However, back in 1979 we did have a good look around that part of London as well.
The Tower of London actually comprises a walled fortification with several defensive turrets forming an interior courtyard where the most visible building, the White Tower with it's four battlements juts high above the other buildings. The Tower complex includes the River Thames waterfront as one of it's sides and there is a gate which allows a boat to enter from the river.
Formerly the site of a Roman fortification, the White Tower was the first of today's buildings constructed here, in 1078 on the order of William the Conqueror, shortly after his successful invasion of England in 1066. Other walls, towers and fortifications were added over the centuries but one of the earliest uses of the site was as a zoo (1204-1835) for displaying some of the strange animals that were being discovered as exploration blossomed. Of course the Tower is also famous as a jail for high profile prisoners and for the many executions carried out both within (nobles) and without (common criminals) its walls. No prisoners have been held there since the early 1950s, so the Tower of London is now mostly a tourist attraction, although the Crown Jewels are still kept there for safekeeping.
The second photo gives you an idea of how close the Tower is to the impressive Tower Bridge while the third one shows an interior courtyard view toward the White Tower. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 Where Ann Boleyn stayed
her final night on earth by azz8206,
4 more photos
Entry hours are as follows:
Summer-Tuesday to Saturday 9am-5pm
Sunday and Monday 10am -530pm
Winter-Tuesday to Saturday 9am -430pm
Sunday and Monday 10am-430pm
Closed the 24th-26th of December
|
| | |
Visiting London?
Read reviews about London Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 A Queen's Guard at the
White Tower by Bwana_Brown
The duties of protecting the Crown Jewels are shared with the Yeoman Warders who are also posted to the Tower of London (see my 'Local Customs' tip). Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 The Tower of London by easyoar
The Tower of London was the prison you got sent to if you had upset the King (or Queen). It struck fear into the hearts of many a Englishman. Often it was the nobility who ended up here as they had more contact with the monarch and were therefore more likely to cause offence (in some cases it was for reasons such as objecting that the King had slept with your wife...)
There is a legend associated with the Tower of London, which states that if the Ravens (big black birds) that live there were ever to leave the Tower, then the kingdom would fall. To prevent this from happening, the ravens that live there have their wings clipped so they can't fly! Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Traitors Gate was originally called Water Gate but changed its name when the gate became a landing place for boats carrying the Crowns' enemies. Traitors Gate would be the last thing the would see before entering the Tower and being put to death. Princess Elizabeth on a visit to the Tower on Palm Sunday 1554, refused to enter via the gate saying she was no traitor, she changed her mind when the heavens opened and threatened to soak her. On a latter visit as Queen she insisited on entering via the gate proclaiming that what was good for a Princess was good for a Queen - but she did get out alive - most who entered did not. Leave a Comment
|
 The Tower of London seen from
my room. by breughel
It was not without some perplexity that I saw on the towers and walls large panels with "HENRY VIII - DRESSED TO KILL".
Actually it is an exhibition from 3 April 2009 until 17 January 2010 about Henry VIII's finest armour and weapons, created for the King. This exhibition is included in the normal ticket.
I visited the Tower a few decades ago and gained now the impression that the spectacular side is privileged. I found the slogan "See some killer objects" a bit on the catchy side. All sovereigns of that time had armour for tournament and combat.
I did not visit this exhibition. I'm not fond of the queuing at the Tower and I have seen plenty of armour at the exceptional collection of the Hofjagd-und Rüstkammer at the Neue Burg in Vienna.
From my room I could also see how on their West side the historical buildings of the Tower of London are dominated by the brown modern commercial buildings of St Katharine docks. But, well, London is a great mix of ancient and contemporary buildings in which perspectives are often lost to the detriment of the historical buildings and monuments.
|
| | |
 Silhouette of the Tower of
London at dawn by keida84, 2 more photos
Getting to the Tower early is highly advisable and check for specials like 2 for 1 which makes the admission price more affordable. See the "Crown Jewels" mind you they are paste copies but brilliant ones at that. The gold punch bowl was unbelievable, such wealth and it sits behind a hermetically sealed glass case and benefits no one. Such a shame, things like that should be used or melted down to help feed and clothe the poor.
The torture room was a bit unnerving, I just cannot get over how people actually created these devices and used them on other human beings. Man's inhumanity against man. Very sad, very tragic.
Make sure to rent head sets with a self guided tour of the Tower. I did not think I would use one but I tried it and I really liked it. It was a well done guided tour and afforded me some information I might have otherwise not known. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
More London Tips Overview
| Hotels and Accommodations
Tips: 1,785 - Photos: 1,485 | Things To Do
Tips: 9,601 - Photos: 13,273 | Nightlife
Tips: 1,386 - Photos: 1,178 | Transportation
Tips: 1,999 - Photos: 1,570 | Restaurants
Tips: 2,976 - Photos: 3,301 | Shopping
Tips: 1,048 - Photos: 1,155 | Off the Beaten Path
Tips: 1,608 - Photos: 2,059 | Tourist Traps
Tips: 500 - Photos: 346 | Warnings or Dangers
Tips: 709 - Photos: 412 | Local Customs
Tips: 728 - Photos: 671 | Packing Lists
Tips: 293 - Photos: 127 | Sports Travel
Tips: 228 - Photos: 339 | General Tips
Tips: 2,331 - Photos: 2,298 | Flights
Tips: 167 - Photos: 0 |
 |
|
More London Travel Deals London Hotels
Find the Perfect Hotel! Book Online for the Lowest Prices Guaranteed. Cheap London Hotels
Up to %70 Off Hotels in London Save Money and Time, Book now! London Hotels
Hurry! Its Your Last Chance to Save 30% off Your Hotel. Sale Ends 7/10 Sponsored Links
- The Fox & Goose Hotel
Hanger Lane Ealing, London - Gresham Hotel Bloomsbury
36 Bloomsbury Street, London - Chelsea Lodge Hotel
268 Fulham Road Chelsea, London - The Lennox
34 Pembridge Gardens (formerly the Pembridge Court Hotel), London - Thistle Lancaster Gate
Lancaster Gate Fla, London - Sloane Apartments
15 Sloane Gardens, London - Sara Hotel
15 Eardley Crescent Earl's Court, London - The Ritz Hotel
150 Piccadilly, London - Sheraton Belgravia Hotel London
20 Chesham Place, London - Millers Residence
111a Westbourne Grove, London - London Ryan - A Thistle Hotel
10-42 Gwynne Place, London - London Marriott Hotel County Hall
Westminster Bridge Road County Hall, London - Kensington Manor Hotel
8 Emperor's Gate, Kensington, London - Elysee Hotel
25-26 Craven Terrace Hyde Park, London - The Dorset Square Hotel
39 Dorset Square, London
|
