The Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of the city's most famous visitor attractions. This imposing building and UNESCO World Heritage Site has played a central part in the history of London and England. It's been used as a fortress, a prison, a Royal residence, a mint, an observatory, and even a zoo during medieval times.

The Tower of London was founded by William the Conqueror, with the oldest parts of the buildings dating back to 1078. Highlights of your visit to the Tower could include seeing the Crown Jewels, visiting the White Tower - with its famous ravens and displays from the Royal Armouries' Collection, and watching costumed re-enactments on the South Lawn.

One of the reasons for the enduring popularity of the Tower of London is its interactive displays and exciting events. You can visit the Medieval Palace with fascinating reconstructions using film, sound, light, and smell, and watch re-enactments of medieval tournaments. You can be a newsreader as famous prisoners arrive at the Tower, try your hand as a detective and work out who murdered the Princes in the Tower, or join a twilight tour led by one of the Tower's world-famous resident Yeoman Warders. If you book in advance you can watch the Ceremony of the Keys - the traditional locking up of the Tower of London, which has happened every night for over 700 years. From November to January, the Tower of London's moat is frozen to make an ice-skating rink.

The Tower of London is open to visitors every day except the 24th to 26th December, and 1st January, and you can book tickets online. The closest underground station is Tower Hill, a five minute walk from the Tower.

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is situated over the River Thames in London just outside the Tower of London. This remarkable Victorian bridge, with its impressive 'lifting road' was designed by Sir Horace Jones and built by Sir James Wolf Barry from 1886 to 1894. The bridge is raised some 1,000 times a year to allow tall ships to pass through.

At the Tower Bridge Exhibition you can admire the views and find out how and why the Bridge was built. The walkways are 140 feet above the Thames and have special windows to allow you to take photographs. You can also visit the Victorian engine rooms which house the original steam engines that used to power the Bridge lifts. If you book ahead you can arrange a behind-the-scenes tour of the command centre, from where the raising of the 1,000 ton bascules is controlled. If you'd like to see the Bridge in action you can view lists of scheduled Bridge Lifts online. 

Tower Bridge is open every day except the 24th, 25th and 26th of December. The nearest tube station for Tower Bridge and the Tower of London is Tower Hill, or you can take a boat and embark at Tower Pier.  

The Radisson Edwardian New Providence Wharf Hotel

If you're looking for a London hotel that's handy for the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, then look no further than the Radisson Edwardian New Providence Wharf hotel. This luxury 4 star hotel is located in Fairmont Avenue just ten minutes walk from Canary Wharf and the underground station. Its rooms offer contemporary design, natural lighting, and optional air-conditioning, and they afford breath-taking views of the River Thames and the city of London. The hotel has a riverside café, a cocktail bar, a restaurant, and a fitness centre. If you're here on a business trip you'll find the hotel is fully equipped with a 24 hour business centre and wireless Internet access.

Save money on London visitor attractions

With our 'Let loose in London' scheme you get a discounted hotel package at a London Radisson Edwardian hotel of your choice, plus exclusive special offers and discounts at some of London's finest galleries, theatres, restaurants, and tourist attractions.