Tis the season to be jolly! Visitors to the Tower of London are invited to do as the Victorians did this December with a series of festive events.

This Christmas, visitors will find themselves immersed in a Victorian world. There will be a Victorian Yeoman Warder tour, the opportunity to meet Charles Dickens and, if visitors are lucky, they may even catch a glimpse of Queen Victoria herself. Adorned with the Evergreen trees introduced by Prince Albert in his family home, visitors will see how our many traditional Christmas customs, including writing cards and pulling crackers, were new and exciting to the Victorians.

When the Tower was opened for the first time, the Victorians were filled with wonder at the fortress’s rich history.  Visitors will be able to join one of Queen Victoria’s Yeoman Warders as he gives a thrilling tour, but watch out for an unexpected arrival that could tear him away to his official duties. Charles Dickens, the most celebrated writer of the age, popularised Christmas conventions such as present-giving and singing carols through his famously festive novel, A Christmas Carol. Travel through Christmas past, present and future with Ebenezer Scrooge as Dickens reads excerpts from his famous works. Dickens will also be joined by his fellow writers, artists and benefactors for a raucous lunch party which could either end in toasts or tears, while live costume interpreters will host an entertaining party for children with parlour games and dancing.

Visitors can stroll along to the New Armouries Café and enjoy teas and cakes to the sights and sounds of the boisterous Penny Gaff, the music hall of its day, but beware of Victorian East End rogues hiding in the shadows. Finally, Christmas would not be complete without the Queen’s much anticipated Christmas speech. It is rumoured that Victoria and her beloved Prince Albert may visit the Tower, so listen out for the sound of royal drums announcing her arrival.

Historic Royal Palaces promises to conjure some Christmas magic this December with a visit to the Tower of London sure to invoke the spicy scent of mulled wine, the charming cheer of Christmas carols and a very merry Victorian Christmas!