Tower of London Facts

The Tower of London packs an extraordinary amount of history into a small footprint. Here are the facts visitors find most surprising, grouped by theme — all drawn from the record of the site's operator, Historic Royal Palaces.

Founding and status

• The Tower was founded by William the Conqueror around 1078, shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066.
• The central keep, the White Tower, gave the whole castle its name — it was once whitewashed.
• The Tower has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.
• It is cared for today by Historic Royal Palaces, an independent charity.

The Crown Jewels

• The Crown Jewels are set with 23,578 gemstones and are still used in coronations.
• The medieval regalia were destroyed under Oliver Cromwell; today's collection dates mostly from 1661.
• The Sovereign's Sceptre holds Cullinan I, the largest clear-cut diamond in the world.
• They were last used at the coronation of King Charles III in 2023.
• Photography is not allowed inside the Jewel House.

The ravens

• Legend says that if the ravens ever leave the Tower, the fortress and the kingdom will fall.
• At least six ravens are kept at all times, cared for by a dedicated Ravenmaster.
• One wing is gently trimmed so they stay close to home.

Prison and executions

• Three English queens were executed on Tower Green: Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey.
• Famous prisoners included Sir Thomas More, Sir Walter Raleigh and Guy Fawkes.
• The two young Princes in the Tower disappeared here in 1483, a mystery still unsolved.
• The last prisoners were the Kray twins, held briefly in 1952.

Its other lives

• A Royal Menagerie of exotic animals was kept at the Tower for around 600 years, until the animals moved to London Zoo in 1835.
• The Royal Mint struck the nation's coins here for roughly 500 years.
• The Yeoman Warders — the Beefeaters — still live within the walls, and must have long, decorated military service to qualify.
• The Ceremony of the Keys, the nightly locking of the Tower, has taken place for around 700 years.

Beefeaters and ceremonies

• There are around three dozen Yeoman Warders, and to qualify each must have served at least 22 years in the armed forces with a clean record and long-service and good-conduct medals.
• Their nickname "Beefeater" is centuries old, though its exact origin is debated — one theory links it to a former ration of beef.
• The Yeoman Warders lead free guided tours through the day and take on special duties, such as the Ravenmaster who cares for the ravens.
• Gun salutes are fired from the Wharf on royal anniversaries and state occasions, usually 62 rounds at the Tower.
• The Constable of the Tower, its most senior officer, holds a role that dates back to the eleventh century.

More curiosities

• Anne Boleyn was beheaded not with an axe but by a swordsman brought specially from France.
• The Tower's moat was drained in the 1840s and is now a grassed expanse used for public displays.
• Yeoman Warders and their families still live inside the walls, forming a small resident community.
• The Ceremony of the Keys has been performed nightly for centuries and has only rarely been delayed, once during a wartime bombing raid.
• The Tower has served, at various times, as a fortress, a palace, a prison, a mint, an armoury, a menagerie, an observatory and a records office.

Want the full story behind these facts? Read the history of the Tower and the guide to its architecture and layout, then plan your trip on the visitor guide.