Spotlight on Historic Royal Palaces

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HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES

Within the ancient Fortress, the Tower of London, visitors can gaze up at the imposing White Tower, tiptoe through a king’s medieval bedchamber and marvel at the priceless Crown Jewels. Hear bloody tales of the Tower told by the Yeoman Warders; stand where famous heads rolled and discover where prisoners and exotic animals including a polar bear were kept.

The ancient stones reverberate with dark secrets, priceless jewels glint in fortified vaults and ravens strut the grounds. The Tower of London, founded in 1066-7 by William the Conqueror, is one of the world’s most famous fortresses.

Designed to strike fear and submission into the unruly citizens of London and deter foreign invaders – today you cannot miss the iconic White Tower towering over the modern city. Venture inside and you will find the world’s longest running visitor attraction, The Line of Kings.

A line of wooden horses, this is the surviving remnant of one of the oldest collections at the Tower. You will also be able to marvel at the battle amour of England’s most notorious King, Henry VIII.

Coins and kings; the Royal Mint at the Tower

An exhibition devoted to telling the history of the Mint located at the Tower for over 500 years.

Learn of Isaac Newton’s efforts to rid London of counterfeiters when he was Warden of the Mint, Edward I’s harsh punishments for people who tampered with his coins, Elizabeth I’s restoration of the coinage following her father Henry VIII’s disastrous meddling, and Charles II’s rejection of Commonwealth money.

Crown Jewels & Yeoman Wander Tours

Opposite the White Tower lies the world famous of collection of finery and regalia, the Crown Jewels. You will be able to see some of the most legendary and spectacular diamonds in the world and regalia still used regularly by the Queen in important national ceremonies such as the State opening of parliament.

Don’t miss the chance to learn of the history of the Tower through the eyes of those who have guarded the fortress for centuries, the Yeoman Warders. Hear dark tales of the Tower’s most famous prisoners, executions and even escapees

Celebrate HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at London’s iconic royal fortress

From 1 June – 18 September 2022, The Tower of London will be encircled by millions of flowers for a stunning new “Superbloom” display, celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen.

The 20 million carefully selected seeds, sown in Spring 2022, will bloom to create a vibrant sea of flowers which will continuously evolve from June to September, changing colours and patterns throughout the Summer. With a planting scheme designed to attract bees, pollinators and seed-eating birds, the display will provide a biodiverse space to support wildlife. ‘Superbloom’ will be the first stage of a permanent transformation of the famous moat into a new natural landscape in the heart of the City of London.

One to look out for – A highlight of the display will be the Queen’s Garden. Taking inspiration from The Queen’s 1953 coronation gown – designed by famed British couturier Sir Norman Hartnell – a lawned area known as the Tower’s Bowling Green will be transformed into an elegant garden featuring a combination of meadow flowers, topiary and summer-flowering perennials, bulbs and ornamental grasses. Rising from the garden will be 12 cast glass forms representing the national emblems featured in Hartnell’s embroidered design, including the thistle of Scotland, the Australian wattle and Canadian maple leaf. In the centre of these motifs will sit a glass crown, a reminder of the Tower of London’s ancient role as home of the Crown Jewels; the sacred regalia used in Her Majesty’s coronation, and those of previous British monarchs going back centuries.

Specially created for the Queen’s Garden by glass artist Max Jacquard, these hand-crafted artworks will catch the light and provide an elegant visual spectacle.

Eva Koch-Schulte, Creative Producer at Historic Royal Palaces, said:

‘The Queen’s Garden is a really integral part of our plans to mark the Platinum Jubilee at the Tower of London this summer, and it seemed only fitting to share news of this tribute from us at Historic Royal Palaces on Her Majesty’s birthday. In its inspiration, the garden references the Tower’s ancient association with coronations, while drawing on the best of contemporary horticultural design and British craftsmanship in its creation.’

Glass artist Max Jacquard said:

‘This is a terrifically exciting project to be involved with, and we have tried to pay homage to Her Majesty and to Norman Hartnell in the crafting of the emblems embroidered on The Queen’s coronation dress. Inspired by Hartnell’s embroidery techniques, we have put a contemporary twist on the designs by using rich patterns translated into coloured glass. It has been an honour and pleasure to combine our own creative practices with the design concepts of Grant Associates and the input of the Historic Royal Palaces team. We are looking forward to seeing them in situ!’