Jewel Tower

School Visits

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.

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.

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Plan your trip

We have a wide range of materials to support your visit and make school trip planning easy. You can find all our site-specific information and tools below, and further information on our what to expect page.

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 once you have made a booking, plus a 20% discount on the official English Heritage guidebook for your place of choice.

Once you book your visit you’ll be sent a visit permit, which you’ll need to bring with you on the day.

Visit our bookings page to start planning your trip!

  • 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.
    • BAG STORAGE: No bag storage at site.
    • ACCESSIBILITY: Coffee shop and gift shop are both fully accessible. First and second floor exhibitions can only be reached by climbing a narrow spiral staircase.
    • WET WEATHER: Visits to the inside of the Jewel Tower will not be disrupted by wet weather.
  • Hazard Information

    A useful tool to help with your risk assessments.

     

    You must meet the following ratios for leaders to students on the day of your visit when booking, and if your group is forming smaller groups while at the site:

    • Ages 4-5 (UK Reception) 1 leader for every 4 students (1:4)
    • Ages 5-7 (UK Key Stage 1) 1 leader for every 6 students (1:6)
    • Ages 7-11 (UK Key Stage 2) 1 leader for every 10 students (1:10) and
    • Ages 11-18 (UK Key Stages 3, 4, and 5) 1 leader for every 15 students (1:15)
    • For an adult learning group, consisting of individuals all over the age of 18, there are no ratios but there must be an appointed group leader
    • All ratios outlined above apply to home education groups
    • If your group consists of children aged 3 and/or 4, you must also refer to the Early Years and Foundation Stage Statutory Framework which sets out specific legal requirements for minimum ratios for this age group, to include requirements about the qualifications of the leaders
    • SEND groups must meet the minimum ratios above but may bring any additional leaders as required to adequately support their group
  • Education Site Opening Times

    We offer free self-led education visits during school term time*. 

    *Free education visits are not offered on UK public holidays or during the operation of additional fee paying public events at English Heritage sites.

    • April-October: Wednesday-Sunday 10-5pm
    • November-March: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm

Teaching Resources