Tower of London Tour

Inner ward

Martin Tower

The north-east corner tower where the Crown Jewels were kept in 1671 when Colonel Blood tried to steal them. It now ends the wall walk with a display of crown frames.

Time here
10–15 min (our estimate)
Access
Not step-free · Some steps
Where
Inner ward · indoors
See on the map
The Martin Tower at the north-east corner of the inner wall
Photo: Ethan Doyle White, CC BY-SA 4.0

What you can see

  • 'Crowns and Diamonds': empty crown frames showing how stones were reused
  • The room where the 1671 theft began
  • Ravens often gather on the grass below

Practical considerations

  • Not step-free
  • Some steps
  • Reached along the wall walk or by stairs from the inner ward
  • Toilets nearby in the Brick Tower behind the Jewel House
Checked 10 Sept 2026

Access details from Historic Royal Palaces' accessibility page. Time estimates are ours unless marked official.

Stories at this place

Martin Tower 4 min read

The morning Colonel Blood stole the crown

In 1671 a man dressed as a parson flattened the crown of England with a mallet and walked out with it under his cloak. Then the king gave him a pension.

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