Inside the Tower of London

The Tower of London attracts millions of guests a year, eager to soak in its rich history and pageantry. But while tourists enjoy revisiting the past, the teams that run this historic institution are focused on the future. Watch as the Tower attempts-for the first time in 30 years-to breed baby ravens, a bird that's notoriously difficult to breed in captivity. Then meet the Tower's second-ever female Beefeater as she and her fellow Yeoman Warders prepare for Queen Elizabeth's 93rd birthday, a ceremonial occasion capped by a huge, 62-gun salute.

For centuries, the Tower of London was the most important military fortress in the kingdom, and today it continues to observe war anniversaries with great passion. See how the Tower put together one of its most ambitious commemorations ever, marking 100 years since the end of World War I, featuring 10,000 torches placed around the Tower moat. Then follow Ravenmaster Chris Skaife as he introduces young George, the first raven to be born and bred at the Tower in 30 years, to the rest of the group... a meeting that doesn't go quite as planned.

The Tower of London is the nation's most famous safe. For centuries it's been home to the Crown Jewels, along with other extraordinary treasures, from the royal wardrobe to the armor collection. Discover the remarkable stories behind the Tower's finest possessions, and follow the current dramas centered around the newly appointed Governor, Brigadier Andrew Jackson. It's a unique job with enormous responsibilities, beginning on his very first official working day with the anniversary of the Queen's coronation and a mammoth, royal gun salute.

At the end of the day, the Tower of London's Yeoman Warders are skilled at ushering tourists out as quickly, politely, and efficiently as possible. But for centuries this historic landmark was better known for keeping certain people locked in. Join as us we explore what goes on in the Tower after dark. Then discover stories of its days as England's most infamous prison, from the monarch who made maximum (and cruelest) use of its facilities, King Henry VIII, to the Catholic priest and Tudor sorcerer who made breathtaking escapes.

Part of the daily duties of the Tower's Yeoman Warders involves telling the institution's thousand-year history to hundreds of tourists in just one hour. One of its most heartbreaking stories is that of Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Days Queen, whose execution is commemorated each February. In this episode, we sit in on this annual ceremony. We also witness how a conservation team preserves one of the Tower's rarest and most brittle of treasures: "The Byward Angel," a 700-year-old painting that must be kept in darkness to preserve its colors.

The Tower of London is almost a thousand years old, and its most ancient building is the White Tower. Since 1967, it's had its own dedicated team to protect it: the White Tower Wardens, who share the expansive, surprising, and often gruesome history of the fortress, including tales of Henry VIII and his wives. Discover what it's like to work in the city's oldest building and watch as they quickly transform it into a jungle-complete with bar and dance floor-for an event for friends and supporters of the Tower.

The Royal Navy is marching in and all hands are on deck to ensure that the Tower of London's most important naval ceremony-the Constable's Dues-goes off without a hitch. With inside access, we follow Deputy Governor Deborah Whittingham as she leads preparations for this ancient Tower tradition, a major event that brings outs the nerves of all involved. We also head to sea, aboard the HMS Enterprise, where we meet the sailors who will have the honor of carrying the "dues" to the Tower: a hundred-year-old barrel of rum.

For the Yeoman Warders who live here, the Tower of London has always been one of the most secure home addresses in the city. But, back in 1666, it stood on the brink of disaster during the Great Fire of London. We reveal how the Tower was able to survive that catastrophe and then meet some of the families that call the fortress home today. We also visit the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula in the heart of the Tower, where an archaeological dig has just made history with its discovery of the skeletons of a Tudor woman and child.