Tower of London

The Tower of London stands on the north bank of the River Thames in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Founded at the end of 1066 after the Norman Conquest, it began as a symbol of Norman power. The White Tower, built by William the Conqueror in 1078, gives the castle its name. Over the centuries, kings such as Richard I, Henry III and Edward I expanded the site, adding concentric rings of walls and a moat. The Tower served many roles: royal palace, armoury, treasury, menagerie and home of the Royal Mint. It also held the Crown Jewels and became a notorious prison, especially during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Tower’s history is marked by sieges, political intrigue and executions. The phrase “sent to the Tower” recalls famous prisoners like Elizabeth I before her coronation and Sir Walter Raleigh. Despite its grim reputation, only seven people were executed inside the walls before the 20th century. Most executions took place on Tower Hill, where 112 occurred over 400 years. In the late 19th century, the castle was restored to a medieval appearance by architects Anthony Salvin and John Taylor. During the world wars it was used again as a prison, and after the Blitz it reopened to the public. Visitors enter a complex of medieval buildings arranged in three wards. The innermost ward contains the White Tower, a massive Norman keep with three storeys and a basement. Its walls are built of Kentish ragstone with Caen and Portland stone details. Inside, the basement once held a well and storage rooms, while the entrance floor served officials. The tower’s chapel, royal lodgings and spiral staircase survive largely as they were in the 12th century. Outside, Tower Wharf runs along the Thames, offering views of the river and the city beyond. The site remains guarded by Yeomen Warders and cared for by Historic Royal Palaces.