William the Conqueror began it after invading England in 1066, and the White Tower at its heart was finished around 1100. It has been a royal palace, an armoury, the Royal Mint until 1810 and a state prison: Anne Boleyn was beheaded on Tower Green in 1536.
The Jewel House holds the Crown Jewels, still used at coronations, such as the Imperial State Crown. The Yeoman Warders, or Beefeaters, live inside the walls, look after the ravens and lead free guided tours full of stories.
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Checked on November 5, 2026.
Sources: Wikidata · OpenStreetMap · Google Maps (Place ID) · Historic Royal Palaces