Cradle Tower — Attraction in London

The Cradle Tower was built between 1348 and 1355 on the instructions of King Edward III, who wanted it to be used as his private water gate to enter the Tower of London. The exterior of the gate is in the photograph above, with two rooms either side of the entrance, where porters were accommodated. The King used the gate frequently and it was protected by a drawbridge and two portcullises, of which the traces of one are still visible in the stonework. A fireplace in one of the porter’s rooms, which had a view to the front so they could see if anyone was trying to enter that they either needed to welcome. The other porter’s accommodation has been turned into a recreation of what the room may have looked like in the late sixteenth century, when it was used to imprison John Gerard. He was a Catholic priest, at a time when this wasn’t acceptable to the Monarchy, who was tortured in a bid to get him to reveal the names of other Catholics, but he never gave anything away. In association with John Arden, who was imprisoned nearby within the Salt Tower, they managed to escape from the Tower in October 1597, in a quite spectacular fashion via the moat and River Thames. Gerard faced intimidation throughout much of his life, and he did well to survive to the age of 72, dying in July 1637. Also imprisoned here was Anne Askew, who was punished for being a Protestant, the reverse of what Gerard suffered from just a few decades later. She may have been the only women tortured at the Tower of London for her Protestant beliefs, as well as the only female burned at the stake. The story is enormously gory, she was imprisoned here in June 1546 and was tortured on the rack, with her joints being forced apart, so her shoulders and hips were dislocated. She still didn’t reveal any information and she was burned at the stake at Smithfield, at the age of just 24. She was brave even at that point, screaming only when the flames were nearly at her head, but despite the efforts of others, she refused to recant. There was a large fire at the Tower in 1841, with the Cradle Tower used to throw vast amounts of explosives from, in a bid to minimise the damage to the site. The media reported at the time that, “it is stated that no less than 9,084lbs of powder and ball cartridges were thrown into the moat by the tower”. The upstairs of the tower is inaccessible to the public, but is less interesting historically as it was entirely rebuilt in the nineteenth century, although the upper portions had been derelict and damaged for at least a century before that. There was a report in the media in 1961 that the tower had been cleared of the armoury that was being stored there, which was being moved to the new...

The Cradle Tower is one of the many historic towers that form the outer defensive wall of the Tower of London, a UNESCO World Heritage site located right next to the iconic Tower Bridge. As an integral part of the larger castle complex, the experience of visiting it is tied to the main Tower of London admission.

In terms of Appearance and Decor, the Cradle Tower is a fascinating piece of 14th-century military architecture. Built around 1350, it originally served as a private water gate for King Edward III. Its stone structure is rugged and historically authentic, transporting you back to the medieval period. The decoration inside is minimal but purposeful, often featuring interpretive panels or small exhibits that tell the tower's story, particularly its later use as a prison. It's a place to feel the history rather than admire modern finishings.

The Size of the tower is relatively small, especially when compared to the White Tower, but every corner holds a deep and rich history. Its modest scale is part of its charm, allowing you to imagine the secret arrivals of high-ranking guests or, later, the desperate lives of the prisoners held within its walls.

Service and the Quality of Food/Drinks are not directly related to the tower itself, but to the overall Tower of London experience. The Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters) who give guided tours throughout the complex offer an outstanding level of service, combining incredible historical knowledge with typically British humour. For food and drinks, there are cafes and refreshment spots, like the New Armouries Café, offering standard visitor fare, and their quality is generally decent, suitable for a quick stop during a long day of sightseeing.

The Price for seeing the Cradle Tower is included in the general admission ticket for the Tower of London. While the overall ticket cost for the main castle is considered a bit high for a London attraction, it covers access to all major points, including the Crown Jewels and the Beefeater tours.

Considering the historical value and the included nature of the visit, the Value for Money is quite good. The tower is a key stop on the historical walls walk, offering compelling narratives, most notably the tale of Jesuit priest John Gerard's audacious escape in 1597.

In conclusion, the Cradle Tower is an essential and atmospheric stop for anyone visiting the Tower of London, providing a direct link to the castle's royal and darker past.

I recommend visiting it as part of your overall experience at the...

Built by Edward III (1327-1377), the Cradle Tower was made as a new private river port to directly connect the king's dwellings that were in and around the Lanthron Tower. It is, therefore, located...