Who built the Tower of London? And other interesting facts about the city's iconic fortress

If walls could talk, the Tower of London would have some seriously juicy stories to tell! This iconic fortress, standing tall on the banks of the River Thames, wasn’t always the tourist hotspot (and raven sanctuary) we know today.

It was originally built by William the Conqueror - yes, the very same William who stormed England in 1066 and took the throne.

William, a Duke from Normandy, knew that if he was going to keep his shiny new kingdom, he needed to flex some serious power. And what better way than by building a colossal stone fortress right in the heart of London?

When was Tower Bridge built?

The White Tower, the oldest part of the complex, was started in 1078 and took around 20 years to complete. It was designed to intimidate the locals and remind everyone who was boss. Spoiler alert: it worked.

But William didn’t build it alone. He enlisted Norman architects and masons, plus countless English laborers, to construct the mighty stronghold. The tower was made of Kentish ragstone and imported Caen stone from France, because, naturally, William had to add a little Norman flair!

Over the centuries, the Tower of London became more than just a fortress. It was a royal palace, a prison, a treasury, and even a zoo (yep, lions and polar bears once lived here!). Perhaps most famously, it housed the doomed Anne Boleyn, whose ghost is still said to haunt the grounds.

And of course, we can’t forget the Tower’s most famous residents, the ravens. Legend has it that if they ever leave, the kingdom will fall. So, just to be safe, they’re kept well-fed and happy by the tower’s Raven Master (what a job to put on your CV!)

From a Norman stronghold to a legendary landmark, the Tower of London remains a mighty symbol of British history - with more than a few secrets hidden in its ancient walls.

Is Tower Bridge part of the Tower of London?

Despite popular belief, Tower Bridge is not part of the Tower of London, but they are close neighbours!

Many people assume the two are connected because of the name and their proximity, but Tower Bridge was actually built much later, in 1894, whereas the Tower of London dates back to 1078.

The bridge was constructed to help ease traffic across the River Thames while still allowing ships to pass through, thanks to its famous bascule (drawbridge) design.

While the Tower of London was built as a fortress, royal palace, and prison, Tower Bridge was purely an engineering marvel of the Victorian era. However, they do make a stunning historical duo, and seeing them together along the Thames is one of London's most iconic views!