The Tower of London: Unraveling London’s Infamous Fortress

Ask someone in London about top must-see spots, and the Tower of London always comes up. This old fortress sits right by the Thames, eye-level with the Shard and not far from London Bridge. It’s impossible to walk down Tower Hill without noticing it, but most people don’t realise how intertwined it is with the city’s past and present.

Unlike most London attractions, this place is buzzing with stories that matter for locals as much as for tourists. There’s a reason school kids from Hackney to Hounslow are marched through its gates on field trips—it’s not just history, it’s our history. This is where kings lost their heads, where the Crown Jewels are actually guarded, and where corgis, well, aren’t allowed, but ravens definitely are.

Planning a visit? Book tickets ahead. Weekends and school holidays get packed, especially when there’s a special event or a new exhibition in the old White Tower. The riverside pubs and nearby Borough Market make a day out of it—locals often grab a pint at The Hung, Drawn & Quartered before or after their tour. And don’t just stop for Instagram snaps: there’s real stuff to see and London life woven into every stone.

• London’s Fortress: Origins and Early Power
• Famous Prisoners and Chilling Stories
• Crown Jewels and Hidden Treasures
• The Ravens: London’s Feathered Royalty
• Modern London Meets Ancient Stones
• How to Visit Like a Local

London’s Fortress: Origins and Early Power

The Tower of London basically launched the idea of “don’t mess with London.” William the Conqueror put up the first bit—the White Tower—just after 1066. Why? He’d won the Battle of Hastings, but Londoners weren’t totally on his side yet. Throwing up a solid stone fortress right by the river was a message: new management, nobody’s taking over this city without a fight.

If you’ve seen the White Tower, you know it’s not subtle. Back in the day, it was the biggest, scariest stone building anyone around London had seen. It was the first proper Norman castle in the capital, built with thick limestone walls shipped in from Caen, Normandy—not local stuff. This wasn’t just for defense; it was about showing off power, pure and simple.

Through the medieval years, every king and queen tweaked the place. Defensive walls got beefed up, towers added, gates made more secure. Over time, it didn’t just guard the city from invaders—it also kept a close eye on Londoners, and sometimes locked them up. And those iconic battlements? They weren’t just for looks. Archers really stood up there, keeping London’s enemies at bay.

Check out these quick stats about the Tower’s beginnings:

If you walk around the Tower today, you’re treading the same ground where Londoners faced food shortages, saw royal arrivals, and once even a polar bear (a gift from Norway!) swimming in the moat. Modern London’s skyline looks pretty wild behind those ancient walls, but the Tower’s foundation never budged. Big part of why it’s still standing, honestly.

Famous Prisoners and Chilling Stories

Walk through the Tower of London and you’re basically stepping into a line-up of some of Britain’s most notorious prisoners. It wasn’t just kings and queens who stared out the arrow slits—think political rebels, unlucky royals, and even spies. The Tower’s walls have heard desperate plans, last confessions, and more than a few ghost stories.

One of the most talked-about prisoners is Anne Boleyn. She arrived in 1536, accused of treason and adultery, and ended her days under the executioner’s sword. Her ghost is still rumoured to haunt the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula. Then you’ve got Guy Fawkes—yes, the guy behind the Gunpowder Plot. After being tortured in the White Tower, he confessed to plotting to blow up Parliament and met a nasty end at Westminster.

Here are just a few names with their stories locked inside the Tower:

• Anne Boleyn: Beheaded in 1536. Allegedly seen wandering headless each May.
• Guy Fawkes: Tortured after his 1605 plot, then dragged for execution across London.
• Sir Walter Raleigh: Spent 13 years at the Tower, writing books and growing tobacco on Tower Green.
• Princes in the Tower: Edward V and his brother Richard disappeared here in 1483—no one knows for sure what happened.
• Elizabeth I: Before becoming queen, she was held under suspicion of plotting against her half-sister Mary.

The Tower’s reputation as a prison is no joke. Over 120 executions took place here, with the bulk happening on Tower Hill, which locals still talk about during the annual Tower Hill Remembrance walks.

For fans of data, here’s a quick rundown of some of the most significant prisoners and their outcomes:

For Londoners curious about tracing these stories, check out the seasonal Night Tours or join one of the live history walks—these are packed with details not found in the usual guidebooks. And if you’re leaning into the spooky side, keep an eye on Tower events around Halloween. These bring the Tower’s chilling tales even closer to home.

When you stand in those old cells or see the graffiti scratched into the walls, it hits you—London’s history isn’t just ancient, it’s personal. Every Londoner has walked these streets over stories that still live, and you won’t feel that anywhere else in the world.

Crown Jewels and Hidden Treasures

For anyone in London, seeing the Crown Jewels in person is a serious bucket-list moment. Tucked safely inside the Jewel House, the Crown Jewels collection isn’t just shiny stuff behind glass—it's the centrepiece of royal ceremonies. You'll spot the Imperial State Crown, the huge gold Sovereign’s Sceptre (yes, that’s the one with the massive Cullinan I diamond), and St Edward’s Crown, which only comes out for coronations, like King Charles III’s in 2023.

The queues can get long, especially when schools are in full field-trip mode. Londoners in the know usually visit mid-week or nearer closing time to avoid the rush. Photography is strictly off-limits inside the Jewel House—security is tight. No TikTok videos, no sneaky snaps. Guards, and sometimes even a Beefeater or two, keep a close eye.

• The Crown Jewels have been at the Tower since 1661. Oliver Cromwell ordered the originals melted during the Civil War, so what’s displayed is newer—but still centuries old.
• The largest clear-cut diamond in the world, the Cullinan I, is set in the Sovereign’s Sceptre. That diamond alone weighs 530 carats.
• More than 23,578 gemstones are part of the collection, according to Historic Royal Palaces. That number turns a lot of heads.
• Ceremonies like the State Opening of Parliament still use these items every year. The Queen (or King) travels with them in a secure convoy—locals are used to seeing traffic grind to a halt up the Embankment because of the Crown Jewels’ journey.

There’s more hidden in the Tower if you look past the crowns: the Salt Tower has graffiti from 400-year-old prisoners, and every corner has some odd secret or old relic. Local guides are brilliant at pointing out bits even some Londoners miss—like the medieval chapel or the old royal mint location.

If you’re making a visit, look for those small details. Ask a Yeoman Warder about failed thefts (Colonel Blood’s name comes up a lot), or hunt for hidden carvings in the towers. Even if you work in the City and pass the site every day, the Tower of London hides new surprises for anyone curious enough to look.

The Ravens: London’s Feathered Royalty

The ravens at the Tower of London are absolute legends. There’s this long-standing belief that if the ravens ever leave, both the Tower and the whole of Britain will fall. That’s why you’ll spot at least seven on the grounds—there are six required by tradition, with one extra tagged on just in case a couple fancy a day off.

These birds have proper names, not numbers. You might meet Jubilee, Harris, or Poppy. Each one comes with its own quirks, and no, they don’t just chill there for the vibes. There are actual Yeoman Warders (yeah, the Beefeaters) who look after them like family. The ravens get top-notch food—meat, bird biscuits soaked in blood, even the odd treat from Borough Market if the staff are feeling generous.

Ravens can live up to 40 years in the Tower, which is wild. If you hear about one being ‘dismissed,’ that’s not a joke—sometimes a raven just gets bored and wanders off. Over the years, a few have taken unexpected trips, turning up in Greenwich or, once, at a pub in the East End. When that happens, another steps in so the flock’s never too low for superstition’s sake.

• Want to spot them? They’re usually strutting near the South Lawn or chilling atop the White Tower.
• Don’t feed or tease them: these birds are smart and cheeky, and one once nicked a tourist’s snacks.
• Chat to a Beefeater if you’re curious. They have real stories—some have spent more time with the ravens than in the pub (which, in London, says a lot).

If you’re booking Tower tickets, morning visits are your best shot for good raven photos—less crowded, and the birds come out when it’s quieter. They’re just as much local celebrities as the Crown Jewels, so snap a shot for your socials, but remember: these birds work hard for the city’s luck.

Modern London Meets Ancient Stones

Walk out of Tower Hill tube on a Monday morning and you’ll spot City types charging past the Tower of London on their way to glass office towers. That clash—medieval fortress next to London’s finance hub—is what makes this part of the city wild. While most locals know the Tower as a tourist landmark, it’s actually right at the centre of loads of everyday London life.

First, there’s the raft of events the Tower hosts. The annual Ceremony of the Keys—a tradition going back 700 years—still happens every single night at exactly 9:53pm. Not many places in the city can compete with that level of consistency. Londoners in the know grab free slots for this nighttime event months in advance. And when there are big national moments—like royal weddings or coronations—the Tower ramps up the pageantry with fireworks, gun salutes, and huge public gatherings right on Tower Wharf.

Living near the Tower means dealing with both the buzz and the crowds. The local area has upgraded fast: from Wagamama to Coppa Club (that’s the place with the igloos on the river), it’s become a hotspot for city workers and families. Canary Wharf is just over ten minutes away on the DLR, and cyclists have easy access thanks to Cycle Superhighway 3 running right past the Tower’s moat.

Of course, the place isn’t just about tradition. The Tower works with schools, does history walks for Londoners, and hosts art installations as part of the Totally Thames Festival each September. In 2022, a massive display of ceramic poppies drew thousands, showing the site knows how to speak to modern tastes without ditching its roots.

• Nearest tube: Tower Hill (District and Circle lines)
• Walking distance to the City of London: Under 10 minutes
• Cycle hire docking stations: Two by Tower Gate
• Annual visitors: Over 2.8 million in 2023, according to Historic Royal Palaces

The Tower of London isn’t just about old stones and locked doors. It changes with the city, connects the royal past to everyday commuters, and keeps popping up in local news—whether there are new exhibitions or just another raven joining the crew. If you’re in London, this place isn’t background—it’s part of the city’s living story.

How to Visit Like a Local

If you want to properly enjoy the Tower of London and avoid the rookie mistakes, a bit of local know-how goes a long way. First off, skip those peak hours. Most tourists pile in by 11am, especially on weekends. Get there right at opening (usually 9am on weekdays and 10am on Sundays). You’ll actually have space to walk the battlements without getting stuck behind big selfie groups.

Locals rarely bother with the audio guide. Instead, tag along with a Yeoman Warder tour—these are free with your ticket, run every 30 minutes, and are hands-down the best way to hear all the wild stories. The Beefeaters love sharing insider gossip and offbeat facts you won’t see in the usual guidebooks.

Want to see the Tower of London like someone who lives nearby? Try these practical tips:

• Book tickets online and choose the earliest time slot—saves money and queues.
• Bring your own snacks. The onsite cafés are pricey and always busy; Borough Market or a Pret just up the hill are quicker options.
• If you’re after the Crown Jewels, go there first before the huge crowds form.
• Check the Historic Royal Palaces website—Londoners sometimes get local discounts or special evening events like Ghost Tours, especially during autumn and winter.

Here’s a quick look at the best times to visit during the year:

When you’re done inside, don’t just dash off. Tower Hill is prime for a riverside walk—head towards St Katharine Docks for a coffee, or cross Tower Bridge for the views. Loads of Londoners use the walkways as a shortcut to work, and it feels proper local in the evenings. If you’ve got time, tie in a trip to the Sky Garden or even a pint at Dickens Inn, just a few minutes away.