Royal Armouries, the national museum of arms and armour and Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that cares for the Tower of London, are working to transform part of the top floor of the White Tower into Armoury in Action, a family friendly offer revealing the fascinating story of arms and the armoury at the Tower. From shooting arrows, assembling firearms to brandishing swords, a thousand years of history at the Tower of London will be brought to life in this exciting, hands-on experience.

Explore the weapons, skills and people from the Norman to Victorian period through a mix of historic objects, audio visual displays and hands-on interactive stations; a truly engaging experience for all the family.

The White Tower was constructed under William the Conqueror’s orders and a Norman master mason explains the building of the White Tower, a fortress which towered over London for centuries and has become one of the UK’s most prominent landmarks. A medieval longbowman explains the different types of arrows. Have a go at drawing back a bow to feel the strength and training required to shoot this powerful weapon. Find out more about the skill of the armourers at the Tudor court and have a go at dressing Henry VIII in his armour. Henry VIII’s beautifully ornate armours are on display at the Tower, almost 500 years after they were made!

An English Civil War artillery captain guides visitors through the process of firing a cannon, where they can have a go themselves on a half-sized replica. Follow a Napoleonic War training manual while sharpening sword skills against cabbages in an immersive AV interactive. Finally a Victorian Superintendent of Firearms from the Ordnance Office invites families to design their own musket and choose which technological developments might improve their results at target practice. Friendly mouse characters guide younger children through the centuries from Norman to Victorian.