Tower of London

The Tower of London stands on the north bank of the Thames, a fortress whose stones have absorbed nearly a thousand years of English history. William the Conqueror began the White Tower in the 1070s, and successive monarchs expanded the complex into the layered concentric castle visible today. It has served as a royal palace, a prison for figures including Anne Boleyn and Sir Walter Raleigh, a mint, an armoury, and the home of the Crown Jewels, which remain on permanent display within the Jewel House.

Visitors today can explore the medieval towers and battlements with a range of guided experiences led by the Yeoman Warders, the ceremonial guardians whose presence has defined the site for centuries. Options include early-access morning tours that begin with the Opening Ceremony, evening visits culminating in the historic Ceremony of the Keys, and after-hours VIP tours that allow guests to move through the fortress once the daytime crowds have gone. The Crown Jewels exhibition, housing the working regalia of the British monarchy, is included across the majority of these experiences.