Royal Armouries: White Tower, London

Royal Armouries: White Tower, London

The White Tower's exhibition of arms and armor across its four floors represents just a fraction of the Royal Armouries collection, the majority of which is housed in Leeds. This impressive collection was originally established by Henry VIII in Greenwich and has been on display here since the era of Charles II. Among the most notable pieces of armor showcased on the ground floor is the colossal garniture created in 1540 for Henry VIII, renowned for its prominent codpiece, which women used to touch in hopes of increasing their fertility. Adjacent to it is the diminutive suit of armor worn by the young King Edward VI.

On the same floor, you'll find the Line of Kings, a display first recorded in 1660. It resembles a type of Restoration-era waxworks, but it's crafted from wood and depicts the English monarchs on horseback. The exhibit also features a suit of armor tailored for a man who stood an impressive six feet nine inches tall (formerly believed to be John of Gaunt) and another designed for a boy measuring just three feet one and a half inches in height, possibly belonging to Charles I. On the top floor, an engaging exhibition delves into the history of executions within the Tower and on Tower Hill over the years; notably, you can view the block and axe used in the last beheading.

Entry to the White Tower is free and includes the standard admission ticket to the Tower of London.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Royal Armouries: White Tower on Map

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30 m
100 ft
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap contributors
Sight Name: Royal Armouries: White Tower
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery

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