Tower of London: Tickets

Tower of London FAQ’s‍

• What is the ‘Ceremony of Keys’ at the Tower of London?
• The Ceremony of Keys is a daily ritual performed by the Beefeaters (Yeoman Warriors) at The Tower of London when closing and follows a strict process… The sentry asks “Halt, who cometh there?” The Beefeater replies “The keys”, “whose keys?” “King Charles’ keys” - “Pass then, all’s well”.
• What is the Tower of London?
• The Tower of London is one of the most famous landmarks in London. It’s a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London and has served as a royal palace, a prison, and a fortress over the centuries.
• Who built the Tower of London?
• The White Tower, which is the central structure of the Tower of London, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 as part of his efforts to secure his control over England after the Norman Conquest. The rest was built over the decades and centuries.
• Why was the Tower of London used as a prison?
• The Tower of London was used as a prison from the 12th century to the 20th century and even housed famous prisoners including Anne Boleyn and Guy Fawkes.
• Is the Tower of London haunted?
• The Tower has a reputation for being haunted, with reports of sightings of Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, and other former prisoners who met tragic ends there. However, like many other suggested haunted locations, no actual proof!
• What are the Crown Jewels?
• The Crown Jewels are a collection of royal ceremonial objects, including crowns, sceptres, and orbs, which are kept at the Tower of London and a big part of the tourist attraction. The collection is still used in royal ceremonies today.
• Who are the Yeoman Warders?
• More commonly known as "Beefeaters," the Yeoman Warders are ceremonial guards of the Tower. Historically, they were responsible for guarding prisoners but now serve as tour guides and protectors of the Crown Jewels.
• What is the Legend of the Ravens at the Tower?
• There is a superstition that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, the kingdom will fall! To prevent this, at least six ravens are kept at the Tower at all times!
• Is the Tower of London a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
• Yes, the Tower of London was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 due to its historical and cultural significance.

Fun Facts about the Tower of London

• The Tower of London was originally a royal palace and residence. Though it later became famous as a prison, it was first built as a royal fortress and palace for William the Conqueror.
• The Tower has housed wild animals. The Tower once had its own royal menagerie which included lions, elephants, and even a polar bear that was allowed to fish in the Thames! The animals were generally given as gifts and then housed at the Tower of London until the remaining ones were transferred to London Zoo when it opened.
• The Tower of London held its last prisoners during WWII. The Tower's final prisoners were German spies that were captured during World War II. Josef Jakobs, a Nazi spy, was the last person to be executed at the Tower in 1941.
• It is home to the Crown Jewels. The Crown Jewels are famous for being protected at the Tower and include the famous Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign’s Sceptre.
• The Yeoman Warders must have served in the military. To become one of the famous Yeoman Warders (Beefeater), you must have served at least 22 years in the British Armed Forces!
• The Ceremony of the Keys has taken place every night for centuries. The ancient locking-up ceremony has been carried out every night for over 700 years and is still performed today!
• The White Tower at the Tower of London is one of the world’s oldest preserved structures. It’s the keep at the heart of the Tower of London and it’s over 900 years old!
• Executions were rare inside the Tower. Most executions actually took place on nearby Tower Hill, but high-profile prisoners, such as Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey, were actually executed privately within the Tower walls.
• ‍There’s a secret royal entrance. Traitor's Gate is the water gate through which many prisoners, including Anne Boleyn, were brought to the Tower by boat on the River Thames.