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A political history of Britain in the places where it happened: parliament and palace, courts and counting houses, and the streets where people pushed back.
A fortress of occupation, holding regalia that Parliament once melted down.
Monarchy
Also in Museums and Royal London and Secrets & Espionage.
William the Conqueror began it after 1066 as a castle to hold a conquered city, and it went on to be palace, prison, armoury, mint, menagerie and treasury. The Crown Jewels are not an unbroken thousand-year inheritance. After the execution of Charles I the Commonwealth treated the regalia as the property of an abolished institution: the gold was melted, the stones sold, the rest broken up. Nearly everything on display was therefore made for the coronation of Charles II in 1661. They are still working objects - St Edward's Crown is used for the moment of crowning, and the Imperial State Crown leaves the Tower for the State Opening of Parliament. Britain dismantled its monarchy completely once, and then rebuilt the props.
Step-free access
| Monday | 10:00 – 17:30 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 09:00 – 17:30 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 – 17:30 |
| Thursday | 09:00 – 17:30 |
| Friday | 09:00 – 17:30 |
| Saturday | 09:00 – 17:30 |
| Sunday | 10:00 – 17:30 |
Hours from the page that lists them, checked 5 September 2026.
Last entry an hour before closing; shorter hours from November to February.
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Data is compiled from public sources including OpenStreetMap, under the ODbL. Hours change often, so check before making a journey.