The Tower of London Tourism

The Tower of London, officially Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. It was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest. The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078. The Tower has served variously as an armoury, a treasury, the home of the Royal Mint, a public record office, and the home of the Crown Jewels of England. It has been a symbol of oppression, inflicted upon London by the new ruling elite. Now it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. It is known for its history, having served as a royal palace, a political prison, a place of execution, an arsenal, a royal mint, a menagerie, and a public records office. The Tower is a complex of several buildings set within two concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat.