Tower of London

The Tower of London
London
City of London
EC3N 4AB
England

Website

Official site for Historic Royal Palaces

www.hrp.org.uk

E-mail

Education enquiries

towereducation@hrp.org.uk

Media enquiries

press@hrp.org.uk

Group visits enquiries

groupsandtraveltrade@hrp.org.uk

Gorporate events enquiries

events@hrp.org.uk

General enquiries

visitorservices_TOL@hrp.org.uk

Telephone

Education

0203 166 6654

Booking line

0844 482 7799

Membership

0844 482 7788

Events booking

0844 482 7795

Information line

0844 482 7777

All information is drawn or provided by the venues themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
The world famous White Tower south elevation
baby changing facilities icon Food icon Guided tours icon Shop icon Visual disability facilities icon Wheelchair access icon

The ancient stones reverberate with dark secrets, priceless jewels glint in fortified vaults and ravens strut the grounds. The Tower of London, founded by William the Conqueror in 1066-7, is one of the world's most famous fortresses, and one of Britain's most visited historic sites. Despite a grim reputation as a place of torture and death, there are many more stories to be told about the Tower.

This powerful and enduring symbol of the Norman Conquest has been enjoyed as a royal palace, served as an armoury and for a few years in the 1830s even housed a zoo! An intriguing cast of characters have played their part, including the dastardly jewel-thief Colonel Blood, tragic Lady Jane Grey and maverick zoo keeper Albert Cops.

Venue Type:

Museum, Heritage site, Historic house or home, Castle or defences

 Opening hours

1 November - 28 February:
Tuesday - Saturday: 09.00-16.30
Sunday - Monday: 10.00-16.30
Last admission: 16.00

1 March - 31 October:
Tuesday - Saturday: 09.00-17.30
Monday - Sunday: 10.00-17.30
Last admission: 17.00

The last Yeoman Warder tour starts at 14.30 (winter), 15.30 (summer).

The Tower is closed 24-26 December (inclusive)and 1 January.

 Admission charges

Adults: £18.70
Students (with ID) and senior citizens (60+): £15.95
Children under 16: £10.45
Children under 5: Free
Family ticket: £51.70 (up to 2 adults and 3 children)

JOIN US AND SAVE MONEY!
Become a Member of Historic Royal Palaces and you can make unlimited visits to our five palaces for free!
- £41 a year for one adult
- £63 a year for two adults
- £55 a year for a family of one adult and up to
six children (family with one adult)
- £80 a year for a family of two adults and up to
six children (family with two adults)
Join online at www.hrp.org.uk or call 0844 482 7788.

Additional info

The Tower of London welcomes all visitors and tries to make everyone's day out successful and enjoyable. However, the Tower is a historic building with difficult stairs and passageways and wheelchair access is limited. There are a large number of steps throughout the Tower with cobbles laid in some of the roads.
Although many of the towers have limited access, the Jewel House is completely accessible to all visitors.
A limited number of wheelchairs are available from the Group Ticket Office at the West Gate entrance to the Tower. Toilets, with easy ramped access are situated behind the Jewel House.

The Tower of London has been home to the Crown Jewels since the 14th century and the Jewel House is an essential part of any visit to the Tower today. Marvel at some of the world's largest and most historic diamonds set in the regalia used to crown the sovereigns of England.

The Martin Tower houses a special exhibition, Crowns & Diamonds: the making of the Crown Jewels, which explains the evolution of British crowns and the role that diamonds played in their decoration. Included in the display are five royal crowns, and over 12,000 diamonds.

Torture at the Tower is a permanent exhibition which explores the real evidence for the use of torture at the Tower over the centuries. This educational exhibition houses replicas of the Rack, Scavenger's Daughter and Manacles, with touch-screen technology allowing visitors to find out more about the victims, the history and the torturers themselves.

Collection details

Weapons and War, Social History, Architecture

Events details are listed below. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all. For events that don't have a specific date see the 'Resources' tab above.

Tudor beer tasting

11 July 2013

Curator Sally Dixon-Smith will introduce the social history of the Tower and its many drinking dens over the years, followed by a tasting of traditional Tudor-style beers with experts from CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale). The event will be held in the fascinating surroundings of the private Yeoman Warder’s Club, the Tower’s exclusive modern-day pub.
This event includes light refreshments and entry to the palace, to book please call 0844 482 7799

Suitable for

When

2-4:30pm

Admission

£30/£26 HRP members

Resources listed here may include websites, bookable tours and workshops, books, loan boxes and more. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all.
 Face to face resources

Key Stage 2 (KS2) - Route-based sessions

http://www.hrp.org.uk/tolkeystagetwo.aspx

Route-based sessions
The king's marriage
It is early 1544 and there is a new Queen at court: Henry VIII's sixth bride, Katheryn Parr. Students will visit sites around the Tower connected with Henry's previous wives. Accompanied by a courtier well-acquainted with the new Queen, students will hear about the momentous lives (and deaths!) of Henry's wives. This session especially supports knowledge and understanding of events, people and changes in the past and chronological understanding by examining Henry VIII's marriages in the historic environment.
This session includes time spent exploring outdoor areas of the site - please encourage students to dress appropriately for the weather.
Monday

How to obtain

Sessions can accommodate up to 30 students. Please choose your preferred sessions from the information on our sessions for schools pages. Note that sessions are not always available in the first and last weeks of term.
To make a booking, call the education administration office on 020 3166 6654.
Or you may wish to email the office with your school details, prefered dates and numbers of students and adults at towereducation@hrp.org.uk

A-level (AS/A2) - Sessions

http://www.hrp.org.uk/educationsessionsotthetoweroflondon.aspx

History study days
We are pleased to offer study days with the Royal Armouries, National Portrait Gallery, London Metropolitan Archive.
These sessions are based closely on AS and A2 level units. Subject areas range from the Normans right through to the 17th century, and sessions are available on selected dates from November to March.
This session includes time spent exploring outdoor areas of the site - please encourage students to dress appropriately.
History workshops
Our bespoke history workshops cover all areas of Tower-relevant OCR, AQA and Edexcel A-level history specifications. Each workshop includes a subject-specific tour of the Tower of London. Full details and specific curriculu

Creator

  • Historic Royal Palaces

How to obtain

Please choose your preferred sessions from the information on our sessions for schools pages. Note that sessions are not always available in the first and last weeks of term. To make a booking, call the education administration office on 020 3166 6654. Or you may wish to email the office with your school details, prefered dates and numbers of students and adults at towereducation@hrp.org.uk

Chance of a Lifetime - experience conservation

http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/educationandcommunity/towerschools/chanceofalifetime.aspx

We're currently conserving the White Tower – a huge task only undertaken once every sixty or eighty years. As skilled stonemasons give this iconic fortress a facelift, school groups can experience historic building conservation first-hand.
Sessions at each key stage have been specifically designed to support the Science, Design and Technology, Geography and Art and Design curricula. See individual session listings for more details.

How to obtain

Tuesday to Thursday - 11.00, 13.30
£90/£100 plus admission
Contact the Tower Education Service to arrange a visit. Call on 020 3166 6654 or visit ‘How to book’ at http://www.hrp.org.uk/howtobookeducationattoweroflondon.aspx

English as a foreign language - Session

http://www.hrp.org.uk/learninganddiscovery/ESLEFLcourses.aspx

EFL/ESL at the Tower
Taught in English and developed with EFL teaching guidelines, this session is led by a costumed presenter and explores some of the many famous stories that make the Tower such a unique World Heritage Site.
From discovering the grisly fates of notorious prisoners to following in the footsteps of English kings and queens, students will experience the stories of the Tower in the places where history happened.
Monday to Friday
10.30, 12.00, 13.30
Duration: 50 minutes
Costs: £90 plus admission

Creator

  • Historic Royal Palaces

How to obtain

Sessions can accommodate up to 30 students. Please choose your preferred sessions from the information on our sessions for schools pages. Note that sessions are not always available in the first and last weeks of term. To make a booking, call the education administration office on 020 3166 6654. Or you may wish to email the office with your school details, prefered dates and numbers of students and adults at towereducation@hrp.org.uk

Key Stage 1 (KS1) - Sessions

http://www.hrp.org.uk/tolkeystageone.aspx

Home for a king
Did King Edward I wear pyjamas? Your students can peek into the King's bedchamber and examine replica artefacts with a member of the royal household. The room will come to life with stories of the Tower's fascinating past comparing medieval home life with lives today.
This session especially supports skills of historical interpretation and enquiry as students compare features of a medieval bedroom to their own.
Monday to Friday
10.30, 12.00, 13.30
Duration: 45 minutes
Costs: £90 plus admission
Knights, castles and kings
Transport your students back in time to a world of knights, castles and kings. A costumed presenter will captivate you with true tales from the Tower's

Creator

  • Historic Royal Palaces

How to obtain

Sessions can accommodate up to 30 students. Please choose your preferred sessions from the information on our sessions for schools pages. Note that sessions are not always available in the first and last weeks of term. To make a booking, call the education administration office on 020 3166 6654. Or you may wish to email the office with your school details, prefered dates and numbers of students and adults at towereducation@hrp.org.uk

Key Stage 2 (KS2) - Object handling and investigative sessions

http://www.hrp.org.uk/tolkeystagetwo.aspx

Fit for a king
To accompany the Royal Armouries impressive Fit for a King exhibition in the White Tower, this session will examine one of England's most famous kings, none other than Henry VIII himself: King, sportsman and Tudor superstar! Led by a costumed presenter, students will have the opportunity to handle Henry VIII's replica armour. This session especially supports skills of historical interpretation and historical enquiry by examining replica objects.
Monday to Friday 10.30, 12.00, 13.30
Duration: 1 hour
Costs: £90 plus admission
Walter Raleigh: Elizabeth's explorer
It is 1616 and Sir Walter Raleigh is imprisoned in the Bloody Tower. Word has just arrived that he's to be freed to

Creator

  • Historic Royal Palaces

How to obtain

Sessions can accommodate up to 30 students. Please choose your preferred sessions from the information on our sessions for schools pages. Note that sessions are not always available in the first and last weeks of term.
To make a booking, call the education administration office on 020 3166 6654.
Or you may wish to email the office with your school details, prefered dates and numbers of students and adults at towereducation@hrp.org.uk

Key Stage 2 (KS2) - Practical sessions

http://www.hrp.org.uk/tolkeystagetwo.aspx

The Tower dig!
This fun, hands-on session gives students the unique opportunity to become archaeologists. Working with each other on a reconstructed dig in a classroom, students will identify, record and classify a wide variety of finds – excavating and handling Roman, medieval, Tudor and Victorian artefacts. This session especially supports chronological understanding and skills of historical enquiry by unearthing artefacts from different periods and classifying the evidence.
Available:
9-11 November 2010
8-10 February 2011
10-12 May 2011
11.00, 13.30
Duration: 1.5 hours
Costs: £100 plus admission
Tudor heraldry
Using the many examples of heraldry and coats of arms at the Tower, stu

Creator

  • Historic Royal Palaces

How to obtain

Sessions can accommodate up to 30 students. Please choose your preferred sessions from the information on our sessions for schools pages. Note that sessions are not always available in the first and last weeks of term. To make a booking, call the education administration office on 020 3166 6654. Or you may wish to email the office with your school details, prefered dates and numbers of students and adults at towereducation@hrp.org.uk

Key Stage 3 (KS3) - History detectives

http://www.hrp.org.uk/tolkeystagethree.aspx

The history detectives
These enquiry-based sessions use costumed characters as sources of evidence for your students to interrogate. After a preparatory session with our Education Officer, your students will get the chance to 'hot-seat' either a peasant from the revolt of 1381, King Richard III or Edmund Campion, Jesuit priest.
These sessions especially support the key concept of interpretation as students form their own opinions of historic figures, and the key processes of historical enquiry and using evidence.
Tuesdays 10.30, 12.00, 13.30
Duration: 1 hour
Costs: £90 plus admission
Available topics:
The princes in the Tower
Did Richard III murder the two princes? Your students have t

Creator

  • Historic Royal Palaces

How to obtain

Sessions can accommodate up to 30 students. Please choose your preferred sessions from the information on our sessions for schools pages. Note that sessions are not always available in the first and last weeks of term. To make a booking, call the education administration office on 020 3166 6654. Or you may wish to email the office with your school details, prefered dates and numbers of students and adults at towereducation@hrp.org.uk

Key Stage 3 (KS3) - Sessions

http://www.hrp.org.uk/tolkeystagethree.aspx

Tudor religion at the Tower
Many of the key events that affected religious change during the Tudor period occurred at the Tower, from Anne Boleyn’s coronation, to Jane Grey’s execution, to the interrogation of Jesuit missionaries during the reign of Elizabeth I. A costumed character will guide your group through these events in the spots where history happened.
Reflecting on religion over 70 years and the reigns of four Tudors, this session especially supports the key concepts of change and continuity and cause and consequence.
Monday to Friday 10.30, 12.00, 13.30
Duration: 50 minutes
Costs: £90 plus admission
Under siege: the medieval fortress
Do the Tower defences have a weak spot? A

Creator

  • Historic Royal Palaces

How to obtain

Sessions can accommodate up to 30 students. Please choose your preferred sessions from the information on our sessions for schools pages. Note that sessions are not always available in the first and last weeks of term. To make a booking, call the education administration office on 020 3166 6654. Or you may wish to email the office with your school details, prefered dates and numbers of students and adults at towereducation@hrp.org.uk

Tailor your session

The White Tower conservation project offers learning opportunities that can support the National Curriculum in many ways. We would happily design a bespoke session or a creative workshop adapted to your scheme of work.
Grasp your chance to work on such a unique project and contact the White Tower Learning Officer for further details on: emilie.rolland@hrp.org.uk - 020 3166 6619

 Paper-based and downloads

Learning and teaching on site

http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/educationandcommunity/Towerresources/teachersresources.aspx

The Tower of London has developed online materials to support lessons and your students' learning. Fact sheets, briefing notes and resources for self-directed visits to the palace are available on our website.

Medieval Tower

http://www.hrp.org.uk/Resources/Resource_MedievalTower.pdf

This resource guides Key Stage 3 teachers around key sites for studying the medieval fortifications of the Tower of London.

Timeline: Tower of London

http://89.151.104.52/Resources/TowerTimeline.pdf

Tower of London: significant moments and events in the fortress history.

Tudor Tower

http://www.hrp.org.uk/Resources/Briefing_TudorTower.pdf

These briefing notes look at the functions of the Tower under Henry VIII. They are designed to support the Key Stage 2 curriculum.

 Resources

Leisure, travel, tourism and business - sessions

http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/educationandcommunity/towerschools/educationsessions/tolleisuretraveltourism.aspx

Bring your students to one of London's most popular and iconic tourist attractions.
With over 2 million visitors a year, the Tower of London is the nation's leading historic visitor attraction.
We offer workshops on customer service and marketing to inspire leisure, travel, tourism and business students.
Customer Service
In this hour long session students will cover the following:
Who are Historic Royal Palaces? The organisational structure and our mission statement.
A brief history of the Tower of London. Why was it built where it is?
How has the Tower of London developed into the tourist attraction that it is today?
Who are our visitors?
How do we meet the needs of our customers?

How to obtain

Call us to discuss your needs on 020 3166 6654.

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