Places to go
Visit some other famous landmarks associated with the Tower.
Tower of London
Discover the tower’s 900-year history as a royal palace and fortress, prison and place of execution, mint, arsenal, menagerie and jewel house.
The famous Beefeaters can give you a tour of the most historic spots, you can see the resident ravens wandering around the Tower precincts, and visit the bloody tower where the princes are thought to have been imprisoned and murdered in 1483. Visitors can also see the grisly scaffold site and Tower Green, where seven important prisoners were executed - including three English queens. No trip to the Tower is complete without seeing the Crown Jewels, which contain some of the largest and most historic diamonds in the world.
For the blood-thirsty, on permanent display are exhibitions on famous prisoners and torture.
Address: HM Tower of London
Buckingham Palace
If it’s royal residencies you’re into, they don’t come much grander than Buckingham Palace. Normally the State Rooms are used by the Queen and members of the Royal Family to receive and entertain their guests on state, ceremonial and official occasions. But during August and September, when the Queen makes her annual visit to Scotland, the Palace's 19 state rooms are open to visitors. This is the only time of year when (unless you are a diplomat) you are able to visit Buckingham Palace.
The State Rooms form the heart of the working palace and are lavishly furnished with some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection – paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Canaletto, sculpture by Canova, examples of Sèvres porcelain and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world.
Address: Buckingham Palace
London Zoo
Did you know that in the 13th century a collection of animals was started at the Tower of London? By 1804 the menagerie was open to the public regularly. It didn’t last though, because the new London Zoo opened in Regent’s Park. The animals were eventually moved from the Tower to London Zoo.
London Zoo is still a popular attraction for visitors, and among its residents are bearded pigs, sloth bears, moon jellyfish, bird-eating spiders and komodo dragons.
Address: London Zoo, Outer Circle, Regent's Park
Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds invites you to experience what it is like to be famous as you join a host of the world’s hottest celebrities! Prepare to step inside the world of the famous – and infamous. Join Beyoncé, Angelina and Brad at the most glamorous A-list celebrity party.
It's not easy getting your photo taken with the Queen... except at Madame Tussauds. You'll also be able to stand on the podium to address the nation and get the opportunity to meet political leaders face to face.
For those people interested in the gruesome history of execution and murder at the Tower of London, there’s the Chamber of Horrors at Madame Tussauds. You’ll see live serial killers, wax murder victims, and also find terrors from the past and instruments of torture on display. There’s no escape… Are you brave enough to go through with it?
Address: Madame Tussauds, Marylebone Road
Royal Armouries, London
The Royal Armouries is responsible for all the displays in the White Tower, the central keep of the castle complex, and for researching and recording the history of the Tower and the many institutions which have grown up there.
Displays contain many of the examples of royal arms and armour in the Royal Armouries collection, including armours of Henry VIII, Charles I, Charles II and James II. They also reconstruct many of the historical displays of arms and armour for which the Tower is famous, including the Grand Storehouse which was destroyed by fire in 1841.
Address: Royal Armouries, HM Tower of London
