Tower of London

The Tower of London stands on the north bank of the River Thames, a fortress whose stones have witnessed more than nine centuries of English history. Founded by William the Conqueror after 1066 and expanded by successive monarchs, it has served as a royal palace, a prison for figures including Anne Boleyn and Sir Walter Raleigh, a mint, an armoury, and the home of the Crown Jewels, which remain on display within the Jewel House to this day. The White Tower at its centre is one of the best-preserved examples of Norman military architecture in Europe.

Visitors arriving by river can reach the Tower directly from the Thames, with boat services running along this stretch of the river. Current ticketed experiences on the water nearby include Thames speedboat rides, hop-on hop-off river cruises, the London Eye River Cruise, and evening and dinner cruises, all of which pass the Tower's medieval walls and offer a view of the fortress that has defined this part of the city for generations.