5.3
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
Paid
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.3Set within the Tower’s defensive walls, Broad Arrow Tower served as a mural tower where soldiers could defend the curtain wall. It was also used as a prison in the 16th and 17th centuries.
A compact, tangible glimpse of the Tower of London’s defensive and prison history: the tower’s position within the walls and its hands-on displays connect the fortress’s architecture with the people who defended it and were held there.
Atmospheric · Historic
Find your way
Open mapTower of London, A100, London EC3N 4AB
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Visit as part of the Tower of London’s battlements and wall walk. Broad Arrow Tower is one stop among a sequence of towers; admission to the battlements is included with palace admission.
Things to do
Explore Broad Arrow Tower on the wall walk
Visit the tower as one of the stops on the Tower of London’s battlements route, which connects defensive walls and towers and offers views of the Tower, Thames and City of London.
Look for the hands-on military displays
Historic Royal Palaces’ video describes helmets, mail and a wooden crossbow model in the tower. Displays can change, so check what is currently available.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour; allow additional time for the wider Tower visit.
A stop on the Tower wall walk
- 01
Enter the Tower of London with palace admission.
- 02
Follow the battlements one-way system from the Medieval Palace, near the Salt Tower, or by Martin Tower.
- 03
Visit Broad Arrow Tower as part of the wall walk and look for the displays described by Historic Royal Palaces.
- 04
Check current battlements access and accessibility information before setting out.
Verified history
Broad Arrow Tower is one of the mural towers built within the thickness of the Tower of London’s walls. Historic Royal Palaces says soldiers were stationed in such towers to defend the curtain wall; the tower was also used as a prison in the 16th and 17th centuries. The wider battlements include sections of the Inner Curtain Wall, built during Henry III’s fortification of the Tower between 1240 and 1260.
Hidden details
Built into the wall itself — Broad Arrow is a mural tower, built within the thickness of the defensive wall rather than standing apart from it.
A tower with two roles — Historic Royal Palaces’ video describes its use for defence and as a prison during the 16th and 17th centuries.
When to go
· No specific time of day established; check current visitor information.
No seasonal advice is established by the supplied sources.
Check conditions and current visitor information before visiting.
What to look for
- 01
Look for the tower’s position within the thickness of the walls. The Historic Royal Palaces video describes displays including helmets, mail and a wooden crossbow model
- 02
check what is currently on display.
The story
Defence and imprisonment at the Tower of London
Best time to go
Check before visiting; no seasonal guidance established.
Check current opening and access information before visiting.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
History lovers
Before you go
Practical information
Opening & access
Within the Tower of London; access to the battlements is included with palace admission. The battlements have no lift or ramp access. Check current visitor information before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
There is no lift or ramp access to the battlements. Check the Tower’s accessibility information for current details.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Broad Arrow Tower
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
