Tower Of London

The Tower of London

The Tower of London, a World Heritage Site, is the U.K.'s leading historic visitor attraction. It includes so many marvellous and historic sights that it is almost impossible to single out the "best ones" for you!

For instance, you can see the magnificent Crown Jewels held in the Jewel House. The display includes cine film footage of Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation which explains the role of the Crown Jewels. The Imperial State Crown is worn by the Queen at the State Opening of Parliament and contains the second largest cut diamond in the World, the Cullinan Diamond II. The largest cut diamond in the World, known as Cullinan I is also here - in the Sceptre carried by the Queen.

The second most popular visitor attraction at the Tower are the famous Ravens. These huge black birds stay in the Tower because legend has it that if the ravens ever left the Tower then "The Kingdom would fall". They are well fed, but like to snatch visitors' sandwiches as a snack! They have one or two flight feathers trimmed to prevent them from escaping and are a firm favourite with visitors from all over the world.

Below: Ravens at the Tower

In addition visitors can have conducted tours around the Tower by the Yeoman of the Guard (the "Beefeaters") who give graphic descriptions of the historical events that took place within the Tower. The tours are free. They will recount for you the gruesome tales of heads being chopped off on the block on Tower Green, and show you the actual axe used by the executioners. They also delight in telling the tales of tortures used on unlucky prisoners at the orders of powerful Kings, and they will display the instruments of torture like the thumbscrews and the dreaded Rack.

The Tower of London contains a huge mixture of architectural styles over the centuries. The tallest of these, the great White Tower contains a gem of Norman architecture in St. John's Chapel - built in 1100, using stone brought from Caen in Normandy and completed in pure romanesque style - known to English people as the Norman style. The White Tower was over 80ft. tall when it was constructed and it dominated the City of London - as William the Conqueror intended it to do!

During most of the year historical re-enactments of periods of the Tower's history take place, such as the stealing of the Crown Jewels in King Charles II's time, and King Edward the First's family Christmas in the Wakefield Tower. Look out for these in the bill boards around the Tower.

Below: Traitor's Gate

The Traitor's Gate is the water gate which allowed prisoners to be brought into the tower from the River Thames , usually in the dead of night. It is an eerie and sinister place - and only too easy to picture the feelings of the poor helpless prisoners who contemplated their probable future when they passed under its arch.

All except Princess Elizabeth! (later the famous Queen Elizabeth 1st.) She was imprisoned by her half sister, the vengeful Queen Mary (known as Bloody Mary). She stepped out of the boat, sat on the wet steps and refused to move until the Govenor of the Tower greeted her and personally escorted her to her lodgings in the Bell Tower.

Princess Elizabeth defied everyone, and the Govenor was - of course - mindful of the fact that she would very likely become the next Queen, and he wanted to keep his job!!!

The Tower of London is - quite simply - NOT TO BE MISSED!!! For ticket information and opening hours please contact 0870 756 7070. Advance bookings to beat the queues - visit www.tower-of-london.org.uk

Group Bookings Tel: +44 0870 751 7070 or visit the Historic Royal Palaces web site at http://www.hrp.org.uk

Left: The Tower of London -
Photo courtesy Les Baker

Nearest Tube station: Tower Hill
Docklands Light Railway: Tower Gateway
Rail Station: Fenchurch Street

Riverboat: from Charing Cross Pier, Westminster Pier or Greenwich Pier - frequent riverboats.

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