Jewel Tower

Schools

Visit Jewel Tower and step back into medieval London with your class. One of only two buildings still standing from the medieval palace of Westminster, it was once a high security vault for the King's treasures. Follow the story of the tower through the foundation of parliament and learn about the history of Weights and Measures.

Information about your visit

Our number one priority remains the health, safety and security of all of our visitors, staff and volunteers. Our staff are still working hard to keep everyone safe and make sure you and your group have an enjoyable visit.

Important information to consider before you book:

  • To keep everyone safe we’re continuing to limit visitor numbers at some sites and in some indoor spaces. Please book as soon as possible to secure your preferred trip date and times.
  • Find out more about what to expect on your school visit and make sure you download our COVID risk assessments; download a free copy of managing education visits during the pandemic and if you're participating in a Discovery Visit download our managing Discovery Visits during the pandemic risk assessment
  • To make the planning process as easy as possible, make sure you check our Plan Your School Trip section at the bottom of this page, for updated information on the facilities at the site as well as our free resources.
  • You’ll need to book your visit at least 14 days in advance. Please check our terms and conditions for full details.
  • Although is it not a requirement, any teachers, parents, or students aged 16 years can check in via the NHS Test and Trace app, using the NHS QR code posters displayed at the site entrance. Please factor this into your travel/arrival time. For more information about how we are handling your personal data for NHS Test and Trace please visit this page.
  • Our staff are continuing to wear a face covering in our busy areas and indoor spaces, and we encourage you and your group to do the same where possible.

At some sites you might not be able to use our handling collections or costumes as part of a free self-led visit, but where we can provide hands-on items in a safe way we will. We’ve adapted our Discovery Visit workshops to keep you and your group safe at all times, but for certain sessions we’re still working on this – please check the Discovery Visit section and Facilities section on this page below for further information.

Curriculum links

Support your teaching of the curriculum with a visit to Jewel Tower.

  • KS1-3 History: A local history study
  • KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places
  • KS2 History: A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils' chronological knowledge beyond 1066
  • KS3 History: Development of Church, state and society in Britain 1066-1745; ideas, political power, industry & empire: Britain 1745-1901
  • GCSE History: Study of the historic environment

Free Self-Led Visits

Explore the history of Jewel Tower for free with your class. From a royal residence, to the heart of England’s political landscape, to the home of the Standards Department of the Board of Trade: discover the changing use of Jewel Tower and learn how the values of weights and measures for the United Kingdom and the British Empire were determined.

Download our free GCSE Guide for historical information and sources to support a study of the historic environment.

Enquire now

Plan your trip

We have a wide range of materials to support your visit and make school trip planning easy. Download our free resources to help you make the most out of your visit and create unique learning experiences before, during and after your trip.

We also offer free planning visits for group leaders once you have made a booking. Our Education Booking Team is on hand to advise and help you create the best possible school trip to suit your needs and area of study.

  • Facilities
    • PARKING: There is no parking available on the site. The nearest parking is the Abingdon Street underground car park (managed by NCP), located roughly 400 metres away.
    • TOILETS: Unfortunately, there are no toilets on site. The closest public conveniences can be found at Westminster underground station, exits one and six (roughly five minutes walk away).
    • LUNCH: There is a coffee shop selling a selection of hot drinks as well as sandwiches, biscuits, crisps, cakes and ice-cream. It is fully wheelchair accessible. There are also picnic benches and tables offering views of the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.
    • SHOP: The gift shop sells a wide range of English Heritage souvenirs and gifts, including Medieval, Royal and London themed items.
    • EXHIBITION: There are two exhibitions on two floors of the tower. Artefacts on display include speaker's robes, an Anglo-Saxon sword, historic weights and measures and Norman stone capitals. Unfortunately the upper floor is not wheelchair accessible, as it can only be reached by a spiral staircase of roughly 40 steps.
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