Home > London > Attractions > Castles & Palaces

Jewel Tower - London Hotels .com

Jewel Tower

One of the two surviving parts of the original medieval palace of Westminster, King Edward III built and used this tower as a store for his personal jewels and wardrobe. It is also known as the King's Privy Wardrobe.  If you are interested in English history, you would like the exhibition, tracing the history of English parliaments from the origins to the present day. See the robes from the collection of the Houses of Parliament.

The Jewel Tower was a government office from 1621 to 1864, and was used to store records of the House of Lords.  In 1834, a great fire destroyed most of the Palace of Westminster, and only the Jewel Tower and Westminster Hall survived.  Today, the Jewel Tower has been restored and alongside are the remains of the moat and a medieval quay. 

You will find a small museum at the Jewel Tower, containing relics relating to the Palace of Westminster and items of pottery dug from the moat.  See the designs for the 19th century rebuild of the Houses of Parliament. 

On display you will find an exhibition on 'Parliament Past and Present', which includes a video and a touch screen for a virtual tour of the Houses of Parliament. Call ahead of time to confirm opening and closing hours.

Other attractions nearby include St. James Park, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. If you get hungry take a four minute walk to the south west till you reach The Cinnamon Club.  It is stylish and serves Indian/South Asian cuisine.

Feel like staying in the neighborhood? try the Royal Horseguards Thistle Hotel. It offers great views of the River Thames.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7222 2219

Nearest Tube: Westminster, St James Park

Journey Planner