St Katharine's & Wapping in Tower Hamlets in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Tower Hill Passageway: Block and Axe

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 11, 2026

1. Tower Hill Passageway: Block and Axe Marker

Inscription. The block and axe are the infamous symbols of execution. 112 people were beheaded outside the castle on Tower Hill. Only 7 prisoners, the most important, were ever executed inside the Tower itself. The block which survives today was used for the last public execution on Tower Hill in 1747.

Erected 2001 by The Tower of London.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1747.

Location. 51° 30.567′ N, 0° 4.571′ W. Marker is in Tower Hamlets, England, in Greater London. It is in St Katharine's & Wapping. It can be reached from Tower Hill west of Tower Bridge Approach, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110-102 Tower Hill, Tower Hamlets, England EC3N 4SG, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in London

and in the Greater South East.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically,

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it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tower Hill Passageway: Sir Thomas More (here, next to this marker); Tower Hill Medieval Postern (a few steps from this marker); Transforming the Tower of London Moat (a few steps from this marker); Tower Hill Passageway: Jousting and Tournaments (a few steps from this marker); Tower Hill Passageway: Elizabeth I (a few steps from this marker); Tower Hill Passageway: Wakefield and St Thomas's Tower (a few steps from this marker); Tower Hill Passageway: Chapel Royal and Scaffold Site (a few steps from this marker); Tower Hill Passageway: Queen's House (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tower Hamlets.

Also see . . . Tower Green and Scaffold site (Historic Royal Palaces).

On or near this spot ten people have been executed. Seven by beheading and three by firing squad...Execution inside the Tower was a privilege reserved for those of high rank, or for those who had dangerously strong popular support, to keep them away from the gawping crowds. A
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 11, 2026

2. Tower Hill Passageway: Block and Axe Marker
Block and Axe, the central painting in this image by Stephen B Whatley, is one of 30 that lines the underpass to the Tower of London.
scaffold, or raised platform is likely to have been erected for such beheadings.

(Submitted on September 26, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

Executions Block and Axe image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gale & Polden, Ltd., circa 1905

3. Executions Block and Axe

“The Axe has been in the Tower since 1687. The Block is that on which Lord Lovat was executed on Tower Hill in 1747.”

Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 26, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. 3. submitted on September 30, 2026. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.