Medieval Palace

Discover the colour, splendour, and people of the medieval Tower of London

Medieval makeover 2025

In summer 2025, the Medieval Palace at the Tower of London will reopen after an exciting transformation. These magnificent buildings – some of the oldest parts of the Tower – have been reimagined for 2025.

Step back to the 1200s to the world of the kings who built the palace: Henry III and Edward I. Meet these kings and their households, and explore the lives of Queens Eleanor of Provence and Eleanor of Castile, who were highly influential and powerful at court.

Discover new stories from the medieval Tower, from the craftspeople who built the Medieval Palace, to those who served the royal family, and the Tower’s relationship with the local community.

Immerse yourself in the richness of the palace with beautiful decorations, immersive soundscapes, and tactiles. Meet the people who kept the royal household working, including Matilda de Wautham, the King’s Laundress; Marjorie de Haustede, who looked after the Queen’s Jewels; and John de Navesby, the Keeper of the White Bear at the Tower.

The Medieval Palace re-presentation has been generously supported by Herbert and Ellen Kozlov, Graham and Joanna Barker and The Fishmongers’ Company.

When

Closed until summer 2025.

Ticketing information

Included in palace admission (Members go free)

Buy Tower of London tickets

Things to see

Reopening summer 2025

St Thomas’s Tower

First explore St Thomas’s Tower, built for Edward I by Master Robert of Beverley, one of the great stonemasons of his age. Here you will meet Edward I and Eleanor of Castile and their huge households. Feeding so many people was a huge challenge but we know that fish was on the menu. A medieval fish trap, discovered in the Tower’s moat, will be on display in the Medieval Palace for the first time.

You can also marvel at the richness of Edward’s bedchamber, influenced by the highly educated and cultured Queen Eleanor.

Wide shot of St Thomas Tower showing Traitors Gate and South Ramparts. — *Image: St Thomas's Tower. © Historic Royal Palaces*

Wakefield Tower

Next up is the Wakefield Tower, built for Henry III, Edward’s father, as part of a grand new suite of royal apartments. The Tower is richly decorated with a medieval throne, wall paintings above the fireplace, and a painted chapel screen – all based on surviving medieval images and accounts.

Here you can investigate what made a good medieval king and queen. Did our cast of characters meet, or fail to meet, these heavy expectations?

The Death of Henry VI

The Wakefield chapel is associated with Henry VI who died in 1471 while a prisoner at the Tower. Some say he was murdered while at prayer in this space. Since 1923, the Ceremony of Lilies and Roses marks his death on 21 May.

The Wakefield Tower Throne Room, looking north-west. Showing the replica throne of King Edward I (1239-1307). — *Image: Replica throne of King Edward I. © Historic Royal Palaces*

Lanthorn Tower

Finally, you’ll arrive at the Lanthorn Tower, likely part of Eleanor of Provence’s private apartments. Eleanor was a powerful and influential queen who was fiercely protective of her family.

The Lanthorn Tower displays wonderful medieval objects which tell the story of life in the Medieval Palace. Explore themes such as medieval food and feasting; childhood and education; and royal religion. These objects include a toy knight from around 1300, coins minted for Edward I at the Tower of London, and a beautiful enamelled Pyx – a small box for keeping the Communion bread after it had been blessed by a priest.

Close up of Edward I silver groat; Edward I's portrait on one side — *Image: A silver coin minted during the reign of Edward I at the Tower of London, showing Edward I's portrait on one side. © Royal Mint Museum*

Jewish history and the Medieval Palace

The new Medieval Palace will explore the important Jewish medieval history at the Tower. Medieval London had a large Jewish community before they were expelled by Edward I from England in 1290. St Thomas’s Tower was partly paid for with Jewish taxation and many Jews lived near and worked with the Tower and its people. New displays will explore evidence of England’s expelled Jewish community.

Medieval Life at Court