The London Pass Takes You to: The Jewel Tower of London
Once the treasure house of the British royal family, are you interested in visiting? Located near the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, the ancient Jewel Tower is today's destination brought to you by The London Pass.
Image source: English Heritage
Built between 1365 and 1366, opposite the Palace of Westminster (nominally the main residence of English kings from the 11th to the 16th century, now the Houses of Parliament), the Jewel Tower was Edward III's first medieval treasury. Originally used to store precious items, especially silver plate, it was unofficially called the "King's private wardrobe" and was heavily guarded, with moats on the south and west sides.
By the Tudor period, the Palace of Westminster was no longer a royal residence, and the Jewel Tower became an ordinary storeroom. Over the next 300 years, the tower's function changed frequently. From 1869 to 1938, it served as the Office of Weights and Measures, often used for measuring goods, including standardising historical measurements of various weights, volumes, and dimensions. In 2013, the London archaeological items in the Jewel Tower were replaced by new exhibitions detailing the tower's historical evolution.
The ground floor of the Jewel Tower was used as the Office of Weights and Measures © British Library Board
The Jewel Tower has three floors. The ground floor is used as a gift shop and café. The exquisite stone vault in the main room was once described by historians as "one of the most impressive medieval interiors in London". The carvings on the vault include whimsical heads, birds, flowers, and devils, some designed to create amusing visual illusions.
Image source: English Heritage
The second floor follows the two-room design of the first floor. The exhibition hall displays the past and present of Parliament. Starting from influential leaders to behind-the-scenes figures and key historical events that directly affected the monarchy, this exhibition details the history of the British Parliament.
Image source: English Heritage
The third floor has the same layout as the first two floors. The exhibition here tells the historical story of the Jewel Tower over the centuries. Significant historical artefacts such as an Anglo-Saxon sword and historical weights and measures can be seen here.
Image source: English Heritage
Spanning over 650 years of history and housing numerous historical treasures, and just minutes away from London's most popular attractions like Big Ben, the London Eye, and Westminster Abbey, this medieval monument is well worth exploring.
Address of Jewel Tower: Abingdon Street, London SW1
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 – 17:00
Ticket Price: £6.5, free entry with The London Pass
