Tower of London

In the year 1080, William the Conqueror built the White Tower within his fortress in London. This construction marks the beginning of the construction of the Tower of London, which consists of the White Tower and an additional nineteen towers. http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/buildinghistory/default.aspx Since then, the Tower has served as a fortress, an armory, a prison, offices of state (including the Royal Mint), the Managerie (which later became the London Zoo) and a museum, although during World War I and World War II, the Tower was used as a prison. http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/sightsandstories/buildinghistory/theTowerinthe20thand21stcenturies.aspx

Now a tourist attraction, the Tower boasts an average of over two million visitors annually. However, its draw is not limited to its current role as a tourist attraction, but as an integral element of the media. Television series such as The Tudors feature the Tower as a prison. The Tower of London starred in its own movie in 1939 as the backdrop for Richard III's ascension to the throne. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032049/

Ranulf Flambard, the Bishop of Durham and first known prisoner of the Tower of London, was imprisoned for half a year before he escaped. He was kept in the White Tower during the year 1100. He was the chief tax collector for William II of England, and was charged with extortion by Henry I. He escaped out the window, to friends and horses, after ensuring that his guards at the Tower were asleep and therefore could not detect his escape. http://www.hrp.org.uk/learninganddiscovery/Discoverthehistoricroyalpalaces/Prisoners/RanulfFlambard.aspx

Henry III was an important figure in the Tower's history as well. In the 1220's he began a massive extension of the royal palace. Henry III surrendered the Tower to Simon de Montfort, the 6th Earl of Leicester, in 1263. http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/timeline.aspx Among other things, Montfort is credited with calling the first parliament to be directly elected. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Simon_de_Montfort,_6th_Earl_of_Leicester However, his de facto rule of England was short, and Henry III came into power once more before the end of 1264.

Henry VIII of England made extensive use of the Tower as a prison and place of executions. Two of his wives, Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard, were imprisoned, tried and executed within the Tower grounds. His friend, Sir Thomas More, was held prisoner and beheaded for refusing to sign his name in recognition of Henry VIII as the church head. In addition to stories of these individuals, the Yeoman Warders, Resident Ravens, extensive armor collection, the Crown Jewels and the White Tower draw visitors from around the world to tour the Tower. http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/palacehighlights.aspx In 1780, the last hangings took place on Tower Hill. http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/timeline.aspx

Typically, a visit to the Tower of London merits two to three hours (or more during busy seasons). Internal buildings remain open for thirty minutes following last admission. Currently, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum is closed for renovations. The Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula is still used by the community. Therefore, hours of operation at the Chapel are subject to change.http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/planyourvisit/openingtimes.aspx

Visiting Hours

• From 01 March through 31 October, the Tower is open Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 am-5:30 pm; and Sunday-Monday 10:00 am-5:30 pm. Last admission is at 5:00 pm.
• From 01 November through 28 February, the Tower is open Tuesday-Saturday 9:00am-4:30 pm; and Sunday-Monday 10:00 am-4:30 pm. Last admission is at 4:00 pm.
• The Tower is closed 24-26 December and 01 January each year. http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/planyourvisit/openingtimes.aspx

Ticket Prices

• Adult (Ages 16+): £18.70 ( £17.00 excluding voluntary donation).
• Child (Ages 5-15; children under the age of 5 are free): £10.45 (£9.50 excluding voluntary donation).
• Concessions (full time student or person over 60 years old with ID): £15.95 ( £14.50 excluding voluntary donation).
• Family (up to two adults and six children): £51.70 (£47.00 excluding voluntary donation).
• Tickets may be purchased in person, online, or over the phone by calling 0844 482 7799 (from the UK) or +44 (0)20 3166 6000 (from outside the UK) ( £2 charge applies for tickets purchased over the phone). http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/admissionsprices/toweroflondonadmission.aspxhttp://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/admissionsprices/toweroflondonadmission.aspx
• Groups of fifteen or more people are eligible for savings on admission and special interest tours. http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/groupandtraveltradevisits.aspx

• The White Towerhttp://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/WhiteTower.aspx
• Fit for a King 500 years of Royal armor. http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerofLondon/stories/palacehighlights/FitforaKing.aspx
• Crown Jewelshttp://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/crownjewels.aspx
• Lady Jane Grey Graffitihttp://www.hrp.org.uk/graffitibytheninedayQueen.aspx
• Yeoman Warder Tourshttp://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/yeomanwarder.aspx
• Prisoners Exhibitionhttp://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/Sightsandstories/Prisoners/Intro.aspx
• Ravenshttp://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/theravens.aspx
• Tower Greenhttp://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/towergreen.aspx
• Medieval Palacehttp://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/medievalpalace.aspx
• Family Fun Activitieshttp://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/TowerActivitiesforfamilies.aspx