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

A visit to one of our sites will inspire your students and bring your teaching to life. We'd like to reassure you that we're following Government guidance to make your trip as safe and enjoyable as possible. 

Important information to consider before you book:

  • To keep everyone safe we’ve introduced limits on visitor numbers and school groups, so please bear this in mind when booking your trip.
  • Find out more about what to expect on your school visit, which also includes our Covid 19 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.
  • As usual, you’ll need to book your visit at least 14 days in advance. Please check our Terms and Conditions for full details.
  • English Heritage are legally required to request and record the contact details of customers and visitors aged 16 years and over. The information that you provide will only be shared with NHS Test and Trace, if requested. For more information and for details of our safety measures, please see our what to expect page.

We’re continually updating our education offer in line with government guidance.  Most of our English Heritage sites are now open, including indoor spaces and cafes.  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 follow government guidelines, but for certain sessions this hasn’t been possible – please check our schools webpages for further information.

There may be areas of our sites which are closed, so please check what’s available for your school group on our property webpages and with our booking team.  They can put you in touch with our Education Visits Officers who can offer help and guidance, so you can make the most of your school trip.

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.
    • FACE MASKS: Face coverings must be worn in all indoor public spaces, including in our exhibitions, shops, cafés and tea rooms. We won’t be able to give you a face covering, so please come prepared so you don’t miss out. U11s are exempt.

  • Enquire now

  • School visits academic year 2020-21

    In line with government guidance, we’re pleased to confirm we’re now taking bookings online.

    Our COVID-secure measures will remain in place until all restrictions are lifted.  Visitor numbers are limited, and all bookings must be made at least 14 days in advance.

    English Heritage are legally required to request and record the contact details of customers and visitors aged 16 years and over.  The information that you provide will only be shared with NHS Test and Trace, if requested.  For more information and for details of our safety measures, please see our what to expect page.

    Due to the current situation we can’t answer calls as quickly as we’d like to. If you’d like more information about a site, email us and we’ll put you in touch with an Education Visits Officer.

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