The Tower of London is a must-see for history buffs, so dive in and immerse yourself in over 900 years of extraordinary tales and royal intrigue!
And for the rest, brace yourselves for an enthralling journey as you delve into the captivating secrets of the Tower of London!
This 11th-century fortress holds countless intriguing facts that will leave you spellbound. The Tower of London facts will help you put things into perspective when you take the tour.
And more than that, it never hurts to know a few fun facts about the Tower of London, which you can slip into conversation with your friends and family during your London Tower tour.
Get ready to uncover its mysteries and immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of history like never before by purchasing the Tower of London tickets.
You will learn everything from the Tower of London fun facts and Tower of London history facts to the specifics such as Tower of London dungeon facts.
Interesting facts about the Tower of London
The Tower of London encapsulates more than 900 years of history. Thus, the Tower of London Facts ranges from scary stories of imprisonment, murder and folklore.
With so much of rumors and myths, the Tower of London ghosts facts and scary facts about the Tower of London need its own section.
Let’s jump in to know the 10 facts about Tower of London. Maybe you’ll come across a bonus Tower of London fact here:
1. What is the Tower of London?
Let us begin by knowing what is the Tower of London. It is not a fact, but it is crucial information to understand London.
It is a royal residence, a political prison, a royal mint, a royal armory, and most importantly, a place of execution.
Throughout history, the Tower of London symbolizes a sense of control of the nation.
So it is the watchful eye of the monarchy and an instrument of controlling the masses. The reason why the Tower of London is also called His Majesty’s Royal Palace.
However, one of the interesting facts about Tower of London is its varied uses since it was built. From being a zoo to jail, it has seen all!
You can read about its intricate structures and functions in the Tower of London sights.
It is one of London’s must-visit places. So, visit the Tower of London on your trip to this beautiful city.
2. Who lives in the Tower of London?
One of the essential top 10 facts about the Tower of London is about who lives there.
37 Yeoman Warders and their fabled Raven protectors live in the Tower. They are members of the British armed forces who served for at least 22 years.
Since Tudor times, they’ve been guarding the Tower, known as the Tower of London Beefeaters.
Dating back in time, the actual responsibility of these guards was to look after the prisoners in the Tower of London.
However, the Yeoman Warders became tour guides at the Tower of London.
Learn and buy tickets for the Tower of London Beefeaters or the Yeoman Warders group.
With the Tower of London tour with a private audience with Beefeater. you hear stories and get a guided tour from the actual inhabitants of the famous castle who have witnessed a gory past.
3. When was the Tower of London built? Why was the Tower of London built?
Everybody is curious about how old the Tower of London is or who built the Tower of London. This is one of the most common Tower of London history facts.
William the Conqueror constructed the Tower of London in the 1070s to symbolize his victory over the defeated Londoners and to begin a new regime of his dominion and power.
Hence, it is a 900-year-old castle and fortress which expanded about 250 years after William the Conqueror’s time.
However, some of the most interesting facts about the Tower of London stem from its intended use and then how it was later used for various purposes.
For detailed information on the history of the Tower of London, refer to the Tower of London history page.
4. How much time did the Tower of London take to get constructed?
One of the most astonishing Tower of London facts is the time to build this castle. The Tower of London took about 20 years to be built.
It’s so exotic that masons arrived from Normandy, bringing stone from Caen in France with them.
You will be fascinated by its intrinsic beauty and infrastructure, but don’t take us by our words; watch for yourself and buy tickets to this marvel.
5. What is the Superbloom Tower of London?
For the Superbloom of Tower of London, the medieval moat is turned into a meadow of flowers.
Hence, the Tower of London Superbloom is this immersive floral extravaganza or an event when the Tower’s moat transforms into a biodiverse wildlife haven in the middle of the city.
This way, the moat becomes a new, more natural landscape and becomes a feast for the senses. This Tower of London Superbloom takes around 30 minutes.
You need either a Superbloom-only ticket or a combined Superbloom and Tower of London ticket.
Here’s all the information on the Tower of London Superbloom.
6. What are Tower of London poppies?
It is a collaborative art installation on the centenary of 2014, ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red.’
Poppies became the surprising star of commemorative activity by artist Paul Cummins and Designer Tom Pipe.
They planted 888,246 ceramic poppies in the Tower of London moat. This has to be one of the recent top 10 fun facts about the Tower of London.
Check out exhibitions to explore in the Tower of London for more information.
7. Where are the Tower of London Key ceremony tickets available?
Tickets for the Key Ceremony Tower of London are always unavailable. They are available on a rolling monthly basis.
There’s no option but to book tickets for the Ceremony of Key online, and they are free of charge. As in, they come complimentary to the Tower of London admission.
Most dates are sold out months in advance, so please book early to avoid last-minute disappointments.
One of the Interesting facts about the Tower of London regarding the Key Ceremony is it is the oldest surviving military ritual held at the castle.
8. Are there any discount codes for Tower of London tickets?
A lot of discounts are offered on the purchase of Tower of London tickets.
There might not be a discount code or coupon per se, but direct 5 or 10% discounts are applied as and when buying the ticket.
If you want detailed information about the Tower of London ticket discounts and 2 for 1 Tower of London tickets, find the Tower of London discount tickets.
9. Are there restrooms available for guests in the Tower of London?
Yes, the Tower of London has restrooms for the visitor’s convenience and ease.
The following places have restrooms available to Tower of London ticket holders.
Brick Tower is behind the Jewel House (male, female, accessible toilets and baby changing facilities available)
- Tower of Salt (male toilets)
- The Cradle Tower (female and accessible toilets)
Differently-abled access and baby changing stations are available in every restroom.
Changing Places restroom is next to the café on the ground floor of the New Armouries building.
Although, a Radar key is required to access the bathroom. (Café personnel can provide a key, which must be returned after use.)
10. What is the myth about the Tower of London ravens?
Now, getting back to the fun facts about the Tower of London. The ravens in the south block of the Tower of London are associated with the Tower and the Crown by a superstition.
Charles II was the first Royal to insist that the ravens must always stay at the castle.
He believed that “if the Tower of London ravens are lost, or they fly away, the Crown will fall, and so will Britain with it.”
You will be able to learn more about the Tower of London Raven facts on your tour, especially guided tours!
Know more Tower of London Ravens facts here.
11. What is the Crown Jewels Tower of London?
The Tower of London Crown Jewels facts has to be one of the most interesting topics around this iconic attraction.
The Crown Jewels are a part of the Royal Collection and are on exhibit at the Jewel House in the Tower of London.
The Tower of London is also home to The Imperial State Crown, which the Queen actively used.
You can browse through the armored room where all the jewels are located and learn the Tower of London Crown Jewels facts in detail.
Meanwhile, check out the jewel house and Tower of London exhibition to learn more information.
Don’t forget to check out Tower of London Bridge facts. It’s an essential part of Tower of London experience.
Go through London Bridge vs Tower Bridge to know everything!
Scary Facts about Tower of London
Let’s focus on the scary facts about the Tower of London.
There is enough history of violence, death, and torture to evoke all kinds of emotions.
Let’s look at the various aspects of the London Tower that can be considered scary facts about the Tower of London.
Depending on how you see it, these can be either the most interesting facts about the Tower of London or they can give you some nightmare-fueled sleepless nights.
From the famous Tower of London prison facts to the innumerable Tower of London ghost facts, the tales and trivia are plenty. Let’s dive in:
Tower of London prison facts- The Tower of London was used as a prison as early as the 12th century. During its early history, it primarily held high-ranking prisoners, including royalty and nobility.
Tower of London white tower facts: The central keep of the Tower, known as the White Tower, was occasionally used as a prison.
The basement of the White Tower called the “Little Ease,” was a cramped and uncomfortable cell used to confine certain prisoners.
Gory Executions: The Tower witnessed numerous gruesome executions, including the beheading of two of King Henry VIII’s wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard.
Princes in the Tower: Two young princes, Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury, mysteriously disappeared while staying at the Tower, with their fate still shrouded in mystery.
Torture and Interrogation: The Tower’s dungeons were notorious for torture and interrogation methods used on prisoners, leaving behind a legacy of pain and suffering.
Tower of London ghosts facts: Legends and reports of ghostly apparitions haunt the Tower, including the spirits of Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, and the headless ghost of a former guard.
Ravens and Doom: The belief that the Tower’s ravens protect the kingdom persists, and if they were to leave, the kingdom would fall into disaster.
The Scaffold Site: The site of public executions at the Tower’s Tower Green still evokes a chilling atmosphere reminiscent of the tragedies that unfolded there.
The Bloody Tower: Named after the alleged murder of the Princes in the Tower, this tower is said to be a hotspot for paranormal activity and unsettling experiences.
The Rack and the Scaffold: Instruments of torture, like the rack, and execution methods, such as the scaffold, remind visitors of the Tower’s dark past.
Beauchamp Tower Inscriptions: Graffiti left by past prisoners etched into the Beauchamp Tower walls is a poignant reminder of their captivity.
These chilling inscriptions are from the prisoners awaiting their fate. They often carved poignant inscriptions on the walls, leaving haunting messages as a testament to their despair.
The Traitors Gate Tower of London facts: The Traitors Gate, also known as the Water Gate, served as a notorious entrance for prisoners brought to the Tower by boat, symbolizing their fate.
The gate’s name originated during the Tudor period when it became synonymous with the entry point for those accused of treason.
Prisoners entering the Tower through the Traitor’s Gate knew it symbolized their impending doom, making it a harrowing entry point.
Over time, the gate’s use shifted from a prisoner entrance to a water gate for royals and dignitaries, adding to its intriguing history.
Today, the Traitors Gate remains a popular attraction at the Tower of London, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience its dark past.
Prepare to be spooked as you delve into the chilling history of the Tower of London, where the echoes of the past continue to send shivers down your spine.
Find more information on reading about what to expect at the Tower of London.
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FAQs
What are some of the interesting facts about the Tower of London?
With more than 900 years of history, plenty of interesting facts about the Tower of London exist. One of the most interesting facts about the Tower of London is that it served as a zoo at one point in time.
For over 600 years, the first zoo in London was within the Tower of London. Other Interesting facts about the Tower of London include the folklore of the ravens, the initial purpose of the Tower as a defense system, and more.
Apart from this, the Tower of London facts can give anyone a nightmare if they delve deep into its gory details. Get the Tower of London guided tickets for the best possible experience.
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