The Tower of London is set to receive a £70 million upgrade, including two large learning centres, community spaces, an archive study centre, and a 'green classroom' in its moat. The project, announced by Historic Royal Palaces, aims to boost learning capacity by 250%, increasing annual school visits from 125,000 to 200,000 pupils by 2030. It will also open areas of the ancient site to the public for the first time.
Historic Site Gets Modern Facilities
Officially known as His Majesty's Palace and Fortress, the Tower of London has served as a royal residence, prison, and menagerie. The last monarch to stay overnight was King Charles II during his coronation in 1661. The upgrade will convert the Waterloo Block, which currently houses the Crown Jewels, into a three-storey learning centre with hands-on spaces, a sensory room, and a broadcast studio.
For the first time, the Tower's architectural archives will be opened to the public, featuring over 25,000 drawings spanning 200 years of design and conservation work across royal palaces.
Community and Educational Impact
Brigadier Andrew Jackson, governor of the Tower of London, said: 'For over a thousand years, the Tower has been many things — fortress, palace, prison and garrison – but throughout its history it has always brought people together. By opening up new spaces for learning, community and discovery, we are ensuring the Tower's stories continue to resonate, reaching more classrooms, more communities and the millions of people from around the world who visit each year, while carefully protecting what makes this extraordinary place so special.'
The project will also include a 'green classroom' in the moat, enhancing environmental education. Historic Royal Palaces, the charity managing the site, expects the revamp to attract more visitors and deepen engagement with the Tower's 1,000-year history.
