Hotels near Tower of London, England from Best Western Hotels
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Hotels near Tower of London, England

One of London’s most visited attractions for good reason, the Tower of London has centuries of fascinating history to explore. There’s an area of history for everyone of any age to dive into here, from the Crown Jewels to torture methods to original medieval architecture.

Overview

Location: Tower of London, London, EC3N 4AB
History: Originally built in 1066, the Tower of London has been an iconic part of the city for centuries. Its primary purpose was as a royal residence, and gradually shifted to a prison, execution and even torture site. Now, it hosts the Crown Jewels and functions as one of London’s most popular places to visit.
Unique Features: 3 wards spanning 12 acres of land, with the recognisable White Tower, a stunning piece of Norman architecture, in the centre that earned the Tower of London its name. 13 towers around the inner ward, one of which, built in the 13th century, was the first largescale use of stone for building material in Britain since the 5th century. South of Legge’s Mount in the northwest of the castle are the only remaining medieval battlements in the entirety of the Tower of London.
Visitor Highlights: Though there’s no shortage of things to explore in the Tower of London, the famous ravens of the Tower are a must-see on your visit, along with the infamous Crown Jewels and the carefully recreated lodgings of two medieval kings. There are even life-sized sculptures of the animals that were kept in the royal menagerie scattered around the grounds for you to see.

Activities and Experiences

Guided Tours: Tours led by a Yeoman Warder are available for stories from 1,000 years of history and a look into the history of the tower. There are also audio guides available for those who want a leisurely, private tour of the Tower of London and its extensive history.
Exhibits and Displays: The Crown Jewels, having been on display in the Tower since 1661, are a key part of a visit to the Tower, featuring the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross as just two parts of a collection of over 100 items with more than 23,000 gemstones. The Torture at the Tower exhibition highlights some of what prisoners in the Tower went through, with the Imprisonment at the Tower exhibition having areas within the cells themselves.
Events and Programmes: Gun Salutes can be watched on specific dates.
Interactive Experiences: Along with self-led audio tours available, the Armoury in Action experience gives you the chance to explore and learn about the weaponry that was used in the Tower of London’s glory days, with the possibility of shooting arrows and handling a sword.

Visitor Information

Operating Hours: Open daily, Monday 10.00-16.30, Tuesday-Friday 09.00-16.30, Saturday 09.00-17.30, Sunday 10.00-17.30. Last entry 15.00.
Admission Fees: Under 5s go free. Ages 5-17 £17.40. Ages 18-64 £34.80. 65+, disabled, and students (with valid student ID) £27.50. Groups of 15 or more £32.10.
Facilities: Toilets are available on the ground floor next to the café, baby changing facilities are provided. Several cafes are on the grounds and in the surrounding area. There is a gift shop.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessibility is limited in some areas of the Tower due to uneven flooring and stairways, an access map is available to show which areas are most accessible before your visit. Visitors with disabilities are able to bring one carer/companion free of charge, additional carer tickets are recommended to buy online in advance. Specialised tours and equipment are available for both deaf and blind visitors.
Safety Tips: In wet weather the floors can be slippery. Quietest hours to avoid crowds are before 11am.

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