Tower of London
The Tower of London is almost 1,000 years old and has served as a royal fortress, prison, execution site, treasury, zoo, mint, and armory over the centuries. No other place in London condenses so much history into such a small area. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.
The Highlights
- Crown Jewels: The Crown Jewels sparkle in the Jewel House — including the Imperial State Crown with over 2,800 diamonds and the Cullinan I (530 carats, the largest cut clear diamond in the world), set in the Royal Sceptre. A conveyor belt carries visitors past the showcases — one could watch for hours.
- White Tower (1078): The oldest part, built by William the Conqueror. Today: the Royal Armouries with medieval armor, weapons, and the Line of Kings (royal figures in original armor).
- Tower Ravens: Six ravens permanently reside in the Tower — according to legend, the kingdom will fall if the ravens leave the Tower. Therefore, their wings are clipped. The Ravenmaster personally takes care of them.
- Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters): The Tower's warders in their iconic uniforms offer free tours (included in the admission price) full of black humor and bloody stories. A must-do!
- Tower Green: The private execution site — here, Anne Boleyn (Henry VIII's second wife), Catherine Howard, and Lady Jane Grey lost their heads. A glass installation now marks the spot.
Practical Information: Admission: £33.60 (cheaper online). Opening hours: Daily 9–5:30 (summer), 9–4:30 (winter). Book online in advance — the queues can be enormous in summer. Allow at least 3 hours. Yeoman Warder tours start every 30 minutes at the main entrance.
