Number One Attraction in England: Why the Tower of London Tops the List

Forget the usual fish and chips or Buckingham Palace guards. When it comes to the number one attraction in England, the Tower of London easily takes the crown. Right in the middle of London, this ancient fortress has seen everything from grisly executions to glitzy royal ceremonies, and its stories still shape British history today.

If you’re coming to England, chances are the Tower is already on your list. But here’s the deal—millions visit every year, not just because it’s old, but because every corner has a bit of drama. Want to see real crown jewels? You can. Curious about ravens, traitors, or haunted towers? They’re all here. This place packs in over 1,000 years of unreal stories with enough secrets to keep even history haters hooked.

• The Tower's Timeless Appeal
• Stories Behind the Stone Walls
• Insider Tips for Visiting
• How to Skip the Crowds
• Hidden Highlights Most Tourists Miss
• Making the Most of Your Visit

The Tower's Timeless Appeal

The Tower of London outshines every other England attraction for a reason. Built back in 1078 by William the Conqueror, it wasn't just made to impress—this fortress was meant to control London and seal William's new rule. The White Tower, its oldest bit, is nearly a thousand years old and still stands strong. Not many places can show you real-life medieval history up close.

What pulls so many people in? First, this place wears many hats. Over the years, it’s been a royal palace, prison, mint, zoo, and armory. It even protected crown jewels through wars and rebellions. Famous names like Anne Boleyn and Guy Fawkes were locked up here. Its layered history explains why over 3 million people tour it each year, making it the busiest historic site in the UK.

Unlike many attractions, you’re not just looking at old stones—there’s action at every turn. The Yeoman Warders (yep, the Beefeaters) still live at the Tower. The Ravens have their own official guardian. And the sparkling crown jewels are up for a close look, complete with stories about grown men trying (and failing) to steal them. It’s one of the only places in the world where you can see so much genuine British history all in one spot.

Because it ticks so many boxes—castle, museum, legends, and living history—the Tower stays top of most travel guides to the UK. If you want a taste of British history that won’t put you to sleep, the Tower of London pretty much takes the biscuit.

Stories Behind the Stone Walls

The Tower of London isn’t just a lump of old stone in the city—every bit of it has seen something wild. William the Conqueror kicked things off back in 1078, building it to keep London in line after his big win at Hastings. Since then, the Tower has been a royal palace, fortress, prison, and even a zoo. King Henry III kept lions and elephants here—seriously—until they moved the animals to the brand-new London Zoo in the 1830s.

Ever heard of Anne Boleyn? She lost her head here in 1536, and she wasn’t alone. Historians reckon over 100 people were executed within these walls, sometimes in full public view. In fact, the Tower was the last place someone was beheaded in England—Lord Lovat, in 1747. You can even visit the spot on Tower Green and see the memorial to those executed for treason.

And those famous crown jewels? They’re still guarded by armed “Beefeaters” (officially called Yeoman Warders). The collection holds 23,578 gemstones, including the Star of Africa diamond, in case you’re into sparkly things. Every major royal event still uses these iconic pieces, so it’s not just for show—the Tower still matters in the UK today.

The Tower’s history gets even weirder when you add in the ravens. There’s a superstition that if the ravens ever leave, the kingdom will fall. They’re so serious about it that there’s a Ravenmaster on staff, and recently, they even created a safety net so these birds can’t wander off by accident.

So if you’re wandering around the Tower of London, you’re literally surrounded by stories from every chapter of England’s past—kings, traitors, priceless treasures, and even royal pets. Not bad for a pile of old rocks.

Insider Tips for Visiting

Want to get the most out of your Tower of London trip? There are a few tricks to make your visit smoother, cheaper, and way less stressful. First things first—buy your tickets online. Seriously, don’t wait until you get there unless you’re into standing in long lines. Plus, booking ahead usually saves you a couple of pounds.

The Tower opens earlier than a lot of London attractions, so turning up right at opening means smaller crowds, especially if you’re eager to check out the Tower of London or the crown jewels. By 10:30am, tour groups start piling up and even just walking can feel like the start of a marathon. If you can, go midweek. Mondays and Fridays are slowest outside of holidays.

• Don’t miss the free Yeoman Warder tours. The “Beefeaters" tell wild tales about prisoner escapes, royal gossip, and famous ghosts, and honestly, they’re the best storytellers in the place. These tours run every 30 minutes and are included in your ticket.
• Plan at least 3 hours if you want more than just a few quick photos. Three hours sounds like a lot until you realize you’re still gawking at armor and staring at bloody tower stories an hour later.
• There are lots of stairs and cobbles—leave the big suitcase at the hotel. Wear comfy shoes, or your feet will hate you by lunch.
• If you’re with kids, grab the free family trail booklet at the welcome center. It keeps them busy hunting for secrets and gives you a moment to breathe.
• Check the schedule for the Ceremony of the Keys. It’s an old-school tradition where the Tower locks up for the night—it’s free but you need to book months ahead as it’s super popular and slots are limited.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet with other essentials to help you plan:

One last thing—don’t skip the tiny café near the moat. Their scones are legit, and it beats getting hangry while you’re knee-deep in historic drama.

How to Skip the Crowds

The Tower of London pulls in more than 2.7 million visitors a year. That’s a lot of elbows. If you want to actually enjoy your visit (and not just see the backs of other people’s heads), timing and planning matter a ton.

• Arrive Early: The Tower opens at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 10:00 a.m. on Sundays and Mondays. Try to get there 15 minutes before opening. The lines for the crown jewels usually start building up shortly after gates open.
• Visit on a Weekday: Mid-week (especially Tuesday and Wednesday) tends to be less crowded compared to weekends or school holidays.
• Buy Tickets Online: Pre-booking your ticket lets you use the fast-track line and sometimes special timed entry slots. This skips that main bottleneck at the entrance.
• Head Straight to the Crown Jewels: As soon as you’re in, walk past all the distractions straight to the crown jewels building. By midday, the queues can double or triple in length, even outside peak times.
• Go Non-Peak Months: February, early March, and November (outside of half term) are your best bets for breathing room. Summer and around Christmas? Expect crowds everywhere.

If you want the best experience, join the first Yeoman Warder (‘Beefeater’) tour of the day. It’s smaller and you’ll actually hear the stories instead of just echoes. Skip big holidays and aim for rainy days—the crowds usually thin out when the weather’s awful.

Hidden Highlights Most Tourists Miss

If you think the Tower of London is just about the Crown Jewels, you're missing a ton. There’s a whole layer of weird, wild, and seriously cool stuff most visitors barely spot. Some of these are easy to walk past—so keep your eyes open and don’t just rush with the crowd.

First up, the ravens aren’t just props for tourist photos. Legend says if the ravens ever leave, the kingdom will fall. The Ravenmaster, a real job title here, cares for them every day. Ask one of the Yeoman Warders if you can spot Jubilee or Poppy, two of the most famous birds in the tower.

Next, make time for the Bloody Tower. Sure, you’ll hear about the princes who disappeared, but there’s also a smaller door off to the side. This locked little room once held Sir Walter Raleigh. He spent over a decade here and even wrote a bunch of letters and books from inside those stone walls.

A lot of people zoom past Traitors' Gate, but this spot tells you a ton about England’s history with prisoners, especially high-profile ones. Anne Boleyn, the unfortunate wife of Henry VIII, came through here for her final days. Look out for old etchings in the Beauchamp Tower—prisoners scratched secret messages into the walls, and some are shockingly detailed.

Don’t miss the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula. It’s hidden near the execution site, and a lot of people walk past not knowing some of England’s most famous (and unlucky) nobles are buried right under the floor. If you’re up for it, ask a Yeoman Warder about some of the chilling burial stories they’ve heard.

If you need proof that there’s more here than meets the eye, historic monument expert Dr. Alice Roberts once said,

“It’s not just a tourist site. The Tower’s secrets—written in stone, scratchings, and forgotten corners—make it a living piece of our history.”

So slow down. Hunt for the secret graffiti, talk to the staff in the blue or red uniforms, and get off the main paths. With 2.8 million visitors a year, most stick to the usual route. Those who wander a little find stories and sights that most UK travel guides barely mention.

Making the Most of Your Visit

If you want to see why the Tower of London keeps topping "England attractions" lists, planning ahead will save you both time and stress. First, book your ticket online. This skips the queue at the gates, which on busy summer days can wrap around the outer walls before noon. Adult tickets start at £33.60, and kids under 5 get in free. Pro tip: arrive right when it opens at 9:00 am (Tuesday–Saturday) or 10:00 am (Sunday–Monday) to beat the crowds and actually enjoy seeing the Crown Jewels up close.

Don’t just wander the grounds. The real magic comes from joining a Yeoman Warder tour—the famous "Beefeaters"—at no extra charge. These guys are walking, talking encyclopedias with stories way better than any audio guide. The London Walks group raves,

“The Yeoman Warders’ tours are the highlight—you’ll laugh, you’ll gape, you’ll learn secrets you won’t find online.”

Want to save money? Bring your own snacks. Food inside is pricey, and you’ll want energy for all the stairs. If you’ve got little ones, check out the family trails at the entrance desk—free maps with scavenger-hunt fun that turns history into entertainment.

• Head for the White Tower first—lines get long fast.
• If you’re on a tight timeline, budget at least two hours—but three lets you see most exhibits and chill on the lawns.
• Spring or autumn visits mean fewer crowds (and better deals on tickets).

Don’t forget: photos are a no-go inside the Crown Jewels vault, but snap away in the courtyards. Plus, peek at the ravens. Legend says if the ravens ever leave, both the Tower and the kingdom will fall—so you’ll spot six or more birds hopping around, each with their own name tag.

Last tip: explore the riverside walk outside after your tour. The view of London’s skyline next to these ancient walls is one you won’t forget, and it’s a good way to end your visit full circle.