Jewel Tower Tower
Medieval tower beside Parliament, former treasury archive
Beside Westminster, the Jewel Tower is a surviving 14th-century fragment of the old palace complex that now hosts exhibitions on medieval architecture and historic parliamentary records; it provides a quieter stop near central London landmarks.
Jewel Tower at a Glance#
Address: The Jewel Tower, Abingdon Street, Westminster, London SW1P 3JX, England, United Kingdom
Website: https://www.historicengland.org.uk/visit/places/jewel-tower/
Hours: Typically Tue-Sun 10:00am-5:00pm, closed Mondays (hours may vary)
Admission: Adults ~£7-£9, concessions reduced (check Historic England/Tower of London listings)
About Jewel Tower#
The Jewel Tower is a 14th-century stone building in the Westminster area of London, originally constructed around 1365 as a storehouse for the royal household’s jewels and records. It survives as one of the few medieval fragments of the former Palace of Westminster.
Later uses included storing parliamentary records and various government functions; the structure has survived major rebuilding of the palace in later centuries. Today it is maintained by English Heritage and interpreted as a small historic site illustrating medieval royal and parliamentary storage practices.
The tower stands close to the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey, on the parliamentary estate in central London, within easy walking distance of the River Thames.
- Date and significance: Built in the 14th century around 1365, it is one of the few surviving medieval structures associated with the old Palace of Westminster.
- Visiting note: Administered by English Heritage, the building is small and frequently visited as a short standalone historic site near the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.
How to Get to Jewel Tower#
A short walk from Westminster Underground station (Jubilee, Circle and District lines) and Parliament Square. It sits amid the cluster of government buildings along Abingdon Street.
Tips for Visiting Jewel Tower#
- Use the main entrance near the Houses of Parliament and approach after touring the nearby Westminster area-the Jewel Tower pairs well with the Palace of Westminster exterior walk.
- Ask staff about the building's medieval heating experiment and the surviving 14th-century masonry-there are small plaques that most visitors miss.
- Combine with a timed visit to the nearby Church of St. Margaret or Westminster Abbey for layered history.
Best Time to Visit Jewel Tower#
Autumn and spring for comfortable walking around Westminster and smaller crowds at the tower.
Weather & Climate near Jewel Tower#
Jewel Tower's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (632 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 63 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
| February | Acceptable | 2° - 8° | 2° | 40 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.2 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.8h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 4° | 49 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.3 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 5° - 14° | 7° | 45 mm | overcast | 81% | 4.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.7h |
| May | Good | 8° - 18° | 13° | 48 mm | overcast | 79% | 3.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.4h |
| June | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 54 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.3h |
| July | Very Good | 13° - 23° | 18° | 42 mm | overcast | 76% | 3.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 15.9h |
| August | Very Good | 13° - 23° | 18° | 50 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.4h |
| September | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 58 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 8° - 15° | 11° | 61 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.5h |
| November | Acceptable | 5° - 11° | 5° | 62 mm | overcast | 92% | 3.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 9° | 3° | 60 mm | overcast | 94% | 3.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
