Tower of London
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Tower of London - by waldiwkl from Pixabay
Description
The Tower of London is a castle founded as part of the Norman Conquest in 1066. The complex is located on the north bank of the river Thames and comprises a moat, two concentric rings of defensive walls and several buildings, including the White Tower (a donjon) built under William the Conqueror in 1078 that gives the castle its name. The complex has served as a royal residence many times but is also well-known as a prison and place of torture. Visitors will be guided by a yeoman warder (a.k.a. "beefeaters") and have the opportunity to see the Crown Jewels of England. Trivia: the official name is "Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London".
Access & Transport
Located next to the Tower Hill Underground station, on the Circle and District underground lines and walking distance to the City of London and Tower Bridge. There is also a Tower of London bus stop. The building's entrance / ticket counter is easy to find, near the river.
Instructions & Recommendations
A lot of the visit occurs within the buildings so this is an all-weather tour. We recommend combining with other attractions in the City of London, Tower Bridge, Sky Garden or maybe a lunch in Spitalfields or Brick Lane (20-25' walk)
Environmental & Social
The ongoing environmental footprint is pretty low and the attraction provides some employments and maintenance of traditional figures such as the beefeaters.
Conclusion
The Tower of London is a fun and interesting visit, depending on how crowded it is that day. We would recommend it to anyone except those with a tight budget or who have already visited many European medieval castles.
Key positive
Monument with a very comprehensive and often central history in England
Particularly good and entertaining guides
Get to see the Crown Jewels (if that is of interest to you)
Key negative
Can be crowded with waiting time
Very expensive for a historical building visit
Suitability
Suitable for all ages but kids below 8 may not get much out of it. There are many stairs and low doorways in the various buildings so wheelchair access is limited.
About this Rating
TYPE
Onsite
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 30m
est. visit time:2h 15m
Monday10:00 - 17:30
Tuesday09:00 - 17:30
Wednesday09:00 - 17:30
Thursday09:00 - 17:30
Friday09:00 - 17:30
Saturday09:00 - 17:30
Sunday10:00 - 17:30