Inside the Tower of London

Catch up on all seasons of Inside the Tower of London on My5.

Inside the Tower of London returned to Channel 5 on 02 November 2023 to reveal what goes on behind the walls of this World Heritage Attraction.

We pick up the story in March 2023, when the Tower was preparing for the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. The Tower has seen many coronations in its thousand-year history, but after the extraordinary reign of Queen Elizabeth II, the accession of a new monarch has seen the fortress transition to a new era.

With the coronation date now on the horizon, everyone is involved to get the Tower ready for the big day.

Header image: Historic Royal Palaces Chief Curator, Tracy Borman. Courtesy of Channel 5.

Image: Former Ravenmaster Chris Skaife. © Historic Royal Palaces

Meanwhile, Curator and Public Historian, Charles Farris and Yeoman Warder Barney Chandler investigate the fascinating history of Easter gift giving at the Tower — it didn't include chocolate eggs...!

The Yeoman Warders put their best foot forward in a traditional Easter Parade — it's the last time they’ll be wearing their state ceremonial dress bearing the late Queen's initials, and it's a fitting way to say a final goodbye.

And Historic Royal Palaces Chief Curator Tracy Borman investigates an incredible treasure, a beautiful gold sovereign ring found by a metal detectorist in Kent and now on display in the Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace. It's engraved with a mysterious bull symbol and a single initial and Tracy believes it could possibly belong to the family of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII.

Tracy's hunt takes her all the way to Shurland Hall on the Isle of Sheppey, the ancestral home of one of Henry VIII's courtiers. Visited by Henry, Anne Boleyn and their huge entourage on the way to France, Tracy reveals that the ring might have been owned by Anne’s father Thomas, or brother George, before their dramatic downfall left one of them with their head on the block.

Image: Historic Royal Palaces Curator and Public Historian, Charles Farris. Courtesy of Channel 5.

Meanwhile in the Tower moat, big changes are afoot. In 2022, this space was transformed by Superbloom, a magnificent floral meadow garden in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Now Rhiannon Goddard and her team want to see the moat in bloom once again, but they are faced with hard, frozen soil.

Rhiannon calls in help from London’s last herd of working shire horses stationed at Hampton Court Palace. A much softer way of preparing the ground than using tractors, these gentle giants should make light work of tilling the earth - if they can adjust to the busy London traffic noises.

The Schools Team are running a competition for children across the United Kingdom, giving them the chance to design a Coronation Bench for the Tower. In charge of choosing the winning entries are Aileen Pierce, Nivek Amichund and Chief Yeoman Warder, Pete McGowran. Will they be able to narrow down the entries?

And Historic Royal Palaces Chief Curator Tracy Borman investigates perhaps the most influential woman in the life of Henry VIII – his beloved mother Elizabeth of York. She finds evidence of just how close the pair were, with Henry growing up alongside Elizabeth and even taking writing lessons from her. But her untimely death at the Tower just after giving birth to her seventh child scarred Henry – perhaps influencing him for life.

Image: Shire horses working the Tower Moat in spring 2023. © Historic Royal Palaces

Outside of the Tower, Chief Yeoman Warder Pete McGowran and Deputy Governor Debbie Whittingham walk the coronation parade route from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. And Operations Manager James Murly-Gotto prepares for the Gun Salute that will take place at the Tower to mark the moment of crowning.

During the height of coronation excitement, Curator and Public Historian Charles Farris tells the story of Anne Boleyn's controversial coronation back in 1533. And while Henry VIII laid on a flotilla of boats and fountains of wine for his new Queen, not everyone was excited to meet her...

Finally, the coronation itself takes place, with the most senior Tower officials carrying regalia from the Crown Jewels in Westminster Abbey. The honour of carrying St Edward's Crown is bestowed to the Constable of the Tower, General Sir Gordon Messenger, whilst the Coronation Ring is trusted to Andrew Jackson. How will the Tower staff reflect on being a part of this magnificent day?

Image: Deputy Governor Debbie Whittingham. Courtesy of Channel 5.

Tracy Borman, chief curator of Historic Royal Palaces, is researching the jewels’ turbulent past. Oliver Cromwell turned them into coins after Charles I's execution. Tracy looks at one of the Commonwealth coins, which is unusually designed, and learns about the history of the regalia that now sit in the Tower’s Jewel House.

And finally, Historic Royal Palace’s new Curator of Inclusive Histories Dr. Mishka Sinha is being shown some of the Tower’s hidden finds. Assistant Building’s Curator Alfred Hawkins takes her to see the remains of a forge that were discovered underneath Mint Street. This sets Mishka on a path to find out more about the hidden lives at the Tower. Assistant Curator Alexa Stevenson gives Mishka some insight into the women who worked behind the scenes.

Image: Tracy Borman at the Tower of London. Courtesy of Channel 5.

Former Ravenmaster Chris Skaife is expecting a very special arrival – a new raven chick. The new chick has been raised in the countryside and Chris must make sure he gets used to the hustle and bustle of Tower life.

Historic Royal Palaces Chief Curator Tracy Borman is on the trail of Henry VIII’s troublesome niece, Margaret Douglas. Always a headache to Henry because of her connection to the throne, Margaret’s ill-fated choices would land her in a Tower cell more than once, as she tried desperately to survive the ruthless Tudor royal court.

Image: Former Ravenmaster Chris Skaife with a raven chick at the Tower of London. © Historic Royal Palaces

It is not all goodbyes, as new recruit Yeoman Warder Tracey Machin settles into life at the Tower. As the first nurse to join the Yeoman Body, what unique skills does she bring to the role, and what does she keep in her hat?

Chief Curator Tracy Borman takes a trip outside of the Tower walls to discover what an execution on Tower Hill would have been like, and why did the execution of Lord Lovat stand out?

Whilst the Yeoman Warders prepare for a big shift in their ranks, the rest of the staff at the Tower are also putting the finishing touches to Pete’s farewell celebrations. Alongside Yeoman Sarjeant John Donald, Deputy Governor Debbie Whittingham prepares a personal gift for Pete that will be presented to him at a private party in the Keys. Tower Governor Andrew Jackson is also getting ready for the event as he writes a speech for the Chief Yeoman Warder.

Image: New recruit Yeoman Warder Tracey Machin. © Historic Royal Palaces