The Tower of London celebrates Christmas with a medieval monarch

Visitors will be able to visit a thirteenth century Christmas at the Tower of London this holiday season. 

Historic Royal Palaces will be marking the holiday season in true royal style. Visitors will be able to see what Christmas celebrations would have looked like at the Tower during King Edward I’s reign. 

In addition to special educational displays about how different monarchs marked the festive season, a luxurious medieval feast has been recreated as Edward would have known it. 

Visitors to the Tower will not be limited to Plantagenet celebrations, though. They will also be able to enjoy Tudor period entertainment and performances, as well as take their own family portrait. 

There will also be information about medieval and early modern frost fairs. These major fairs were held often on a frozen-over River Thames and commoners were able to mix with the royals of the day. 

The Tower of London is nearly 1,000 years old. The White Tower at the heart of the complex was first built in 1078. More buildings were added throughout the centuries, with the Waterloo Barracks added in the mid-nineteenth century. 

In addition to being a royal residence, the Tower also served as a mint, an armoury, a treasury as well as a prison and an execution site.

Christmas at the Tower of London starts on November 29th and runs until January 5th 2025. Entrance is included in the ticket price.