Tower of London
Castle · Tower Hill ·
Home of the Crown Jewels, historic fortress, prison, and palace
Home of the Crown Jewels, historic fortress, prison, and palace
"Home to centuries of torture and beheadings, this fortress adds a chilling dose of history to any London itinerary." - Nicole Kliest
"London’s iconic fortress and World Heritage Site layers nearly a millennium of grim history—William the Conqueror’s 11th-century stone tower, subsequent imprisonments, and the executions of Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, Thomas Cromwell, and Henry VI—into a setting thick with paranormal lore. Sightings include Anne Boleyn said to stalk Tower Green and, at the King’s House, the unnerving presence of Arbella Stuart, Elizabeth I’s cousin who starved to death while under arrest. Beyond the specters, it’s one of the world’s most visited attractions; a Yeoman Warder tour offers a memorable way to explore the grounds." - Nicole Kliest
"As part of the historic Tower complex, I note that this site—used for imprisonment and executions for more than nine centuries—has numerous royal ghost stories, including sightings of Anne Boleyn (beheaded in 1536) and apparitions tied to other historical prisoners like Lady Arbella Stuart." - Andrea Romano Andrea Romano Andrea Romano is a writer and editor in New York City. For the last eight years, she has been a lifestyle journalist for Mashable, Brit+Co, Reviewed, Bustle, and Travel + Leisure. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"First built in the 11th century to defend royal power, the Tower of London has been used as a prison and execution site. Henry VI was allegedly killed at the tower during the Wars of the Roses, as were three queens: Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, and Jane Grey. Today, Anne Boleyn's ghost is said to walk Tower Green, the site of her execution, and Arbella Stuart — Queen Elizabeth I’s cousin who was arrested for marrying without royal permission — is rumored to haunt the Queen’s House." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"I was told that guided visits to the Tower of London, when arranged by a skilled concierge, can grant access to hidden corners not available to regular ticket holders." - Jennifer Bradley Franklin Jennifer Bradley Franklin Jennifer Bradley Franklin is an Atlanta-based multi-platform journalist and author, specializing in travel, food, interior design, and other lifestyle topics. In addition to Travel + Leisure, her work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Condé Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, and other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
