History and stories
The Tower at war
Tower of London remembers
Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London
The Tower's Mint
The Medieval Palace
The Ceremony of the Keys
Anne Boleyn
Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot
Tower of London Prison
The Princes in the Tower
Catalina of Motril
John Blanke
LGBT Royal Histories
The Tower of London Menagerie
Plan a school visit
Mid-Tudor crisis
Meet the Yeoman Warders
Update 14 December: In line with government guidance, the Tower of London will be closed from 16 December.
Ticketing information
Included in palace admission (members go free)
Buy Tower of London tickets
Meet our Yeoman Warders as you follow our one-way route around the Tower of London.
Yeoman Warders, also known as 'Beefeaters', will share key stories from 1,000 years of history. Be entertained by tales of intrigue, imprisonment, execution, torture and much more…
Learn about the Tower's iconic history as a fortress, palace and prison. Discover how William the Conqueror built the White Tower and hear tales of the prisoners who entered through Traitors' Gate.
Yeoman Warders will share details of the famous prisoners executed on Tower Green. Many are now buried nearby in the 16th-century Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula.
Important information for ticket holders
Yeoman Warder tours are not currently in operation due to social distancing rules. Instead you will meet Yeoman Warders as you follow the route around the Tower – please take the opportunity to talk to them and ask them questions!
Please respect social distancing at all times.
Some stories may seem frightening or scary to young children.
Yeoman Warder raven talks
The Tower of London is a historic building with difficult stairs and wheelchair access is limited. The route of the tour requires visitors to navigate a flight of 21 steps and cobbled, uneven walkways.
More on accessibility at the Tower of London
Royal bodyguards
The 'Beefeaters', as they are nicknamed, have long been symbols of London and Britain.
It is thought their nickname is derived from their position in the Royal Bodyguard, which permitted them to eat as much beef as they wanted from the king's table.
Yeoman Warders are a detachment of the 'Yeomen of the Guard' and they have formed the Royal Bodyguard since at least 1509. Their origins stretch back as far as the reign of Edward IV (1461-83).
Recruiting Yeoman Warders
Yeoman Warders must have served in the armed forces for at least 22 years, reaching the rank of warrant officer, and they must also have been awarded the long service and good conduct medal.
The current contingent of warders have between them served in Northern Ireland, the Falklands War, Bosnia, the first and second Gulf conflicts and Afghanistan.
They are happy to answer your questions about the Tower and are some of the most photographed guards in London!
Warders behaving badly
Today's immaculately behaved and salaried Yeoman Warders would no doubt be shocked by the complaint of Sir John Peyton, the Lieutenant of the Tower in 1598, when he declared some were 'given to drunkenness, disorders and quarrels'.
More on Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London
Architecture and building history
Explore what's on
Things to see Highlights
See the Crown Jewels
Prepare to be dazzled by this breathtaking, world famous collection of 23,578 gemstones at the Tower of London.
Allow one hour
Marvel at the imposing White Tower, a magnificent example of Norman architecture at the heart of the Tower of London.
Bloody Tower
Explore the stories of the Princes in the Tower and Sir Walter Raleigh in the infamous Bloody Tower.
The 'Beefeaters' have been guarding the Tower since Tudor times
A priceless collection used to crown the kings and queens of England
The Tower of London prison
It is known as an infamous prison, but it wasn't built to be one
Shop Tower of London gifts
Shop our products inspired by the almost 1000 years of history at the Tower of London.
Raven Gifts
Legend has it that if the six ravens ever leave the Tower of London, the Tower and the kingdom will fall. These products have been inspired by the Ravens that live at the Tower of London.
Shop medieval gifts
Explore one of the most exciting times in history with our high end range of arms and armour and medieval fancy dress.