The Tower

Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress The Tower of London

For over 900 years the Tower of London has dominated the City of London and is still one of the capital's most prominent landmarks and a world-famous visitor attraction. Throughout its long history, the Tower has served as a royal palace and fortress, prison and place of execution, an arsenal, royal mint, menagerie and jewel house. Today, London's great royal fortress is home to some of the most potent symbols of British history: the Yeoman Warders, Ravens and Crown Jewels.

Around 1078, William the Conqueror began work on a great stone palace with walls 15 feet thick, known since the medieval period as the White Tower. It now houses a collection of historic royal arms and armour belonging to the Royal Armouries, including the magnificent armour of Henry VIII. The striking outer defences of the fortress were established and enlarged by subsequent monarchs to create the 22 towers that make up the Tower of London today, and in Victorian times the first Duke of Wellington, Constable of the Tower between 1826-52, drained the stagnant moat and restored the two Chapels Royal within the Tower which had fallen into decay.

The Yeoman Warders, often called Beefeaters, are descended from the ancient band of warders who, from early in the Tower's history, had the responsibility for guarding the gates and royal prisoners. Modern Yeoman Warders are still Extraordinary Members of the Queen's Bodyguard and are all former warrant officers from Her Majesty's Forces with an honourable service record of at least 22 years. Today they combine their traditional ceremonial role with that of tourist guide.

The Tower of London has been home to the world-famous British Crown Jewels since the beginning of the 14th century. Still used by the Queen and her family today, the Crown Jewels on display in the Jewel House are largely those items used at the coronation of a sovereign and are collectively known as the Coronation Regalia. Much of the collection dates from the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, when Charles II ascended the throne.

Today 2.3million visitors a year immerse themselves in one thousand years of British royal history and heritage at the Tower of London, making it the UK's most visited historic attraction.