1. Museum History

The Royal Armouries is Britain’s oldest museum, and one of the oldest museums in the world.

2. Hands on History

A free interactive exhibition at the Royal Armouries in the Tower of London, exploring 10 centuries of Tower history.

3. Tower of London Events

Experience 1000 years of history at the world famous White Tower at the Tower of London, home to the Royal Armouries.

Special exhibitions
Object handling area
Interactive area

Click here for more information about current events in the White Tower.

4. 17th – 19th century

History of the Armouries at the Tower of London during the 17th – 18th century.

5. 19th – 21st century

History of the Armouries at the Tower of London during the 19th – 21st century.

6. 16th – 17th century

History of the Armouries at the Tower of London during the 16th – 17th century.

7. Specialist Enquiries

Our team of specialists are able to answer all kinds of enquiries on the subject of arms and armour, related material, and of course its related history and the history of the Tower of London.

8. Tower of London

Admission fee payable for entry to the Tower of London.

Summer:
Tuesday – Saturday: 9am – 5pm
Sunday – Monday: 10am – 5.30pm

Winter:
Tuesday – Saturday: 9am – 4.30pm
Sunday – Monday: 10am – 4.30pm

Closed 24-26 December

Tel: 020 3166 6660

9. Events

Over the past 1,000 years the Tower of London has been used as a menagerie, armoury, mint and prison. Today it is a flagship museum showcasing the Royal Armouries’ glittering collection of arms, armour and historical artefacts.

10. Tower and Armouries History

This gallery tells the history of the Royal Armouries and its traditional home, the Tower of London.

11. History of the Collection

A history of the Royal Armouries and its collection from its founding in the Tower of London to the present day.

12. Robert Porrett

A brief account of the life and work of Robert Porrett (1783-1868)

13. White Tower Basement

The basement has long been used as a storeroom, and today contains a selection of cannon, mortars and trophies – a mere shadow of the great displays originally housed in the Grand Storehouse.

14. Object Handling Point

Throughout the week members of the Royal Armouries enabling team deliver short talks and handling sessions here, giving you the opportunity to find out a little more about armour, its development and its role in the modern world.

15. White Tower Galleries

Today the Royal Armouries displays in the White Tower tell the story of the Tower Armouries evolution from working national arsenal to national museum.

16. Henry VIII: Dressed to Kill

A stunning new exhibition in the iconic White Tower at the Royal Armouries, Tower of London.

Opens April 2009

17. Tower Tales and Traitors

Summer exhibition telling the tales of the Tower of London’s most notorious occupants.

18. Torture

The Tower is often linked with torture and execution.

19. Execution

Many prisoners, whether they had been tortured or not, only left the Tower to go to their execution.

20. Execution swords

Beheading by sword was popular on the Continent, whereas the axe was more commonly used in England.

21. Block and Axe

For important state prisoners or people of noble birth, executions were carried out by beheading. This was considered the swiftest, least brutal method.

22. Special Visits

During the summer programme we are pleased tp present various special visits from those who work at the Tower of London, like the Yeoman Warders (beefeaters) and the Raven Keeper.

23. Action Packed Drama

Experience moments in history through gripping performances from our team of professional interpreters.

24. Interactives

Try these fun interactive activities about the history of the Tower of London.

25. Royal Menagerie

In this fun interactive timeline you can discover about the Tower of London’s Royal Menagerie.

26. Prisoners in the Tower

In this fun interactive game you can discover about some of the Tower of London’s most famous prisoners.

27. Malcolm Mercer

Malcolm Mercer is Curator of Tower History at the Royal Armouries Museum based at the Tower of London.